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Gc 977.202 F77acpL
SI ater-Putt , Dawne
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BEiOMD BOO'KS»

AUJEM COUNTY'S
PUfiUC UBRARy HISTOC
1695-1995

bv Dawee Slater-Piitt

Allen County Public Library

Fort Wayne, Indiana 1995

AHfn County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Published by: PO Bex 2270

Fort Wayne. IN 46801-2270

Allen County Public Library

900 Webster Street

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802

Box 2270

Fort Wayne, Indiana 4680 1

(219)424-7241
fax: (219) 422-9688

Publisher's cataloging in publication data

Slater-Putt, Dawne.

Beyond books : Allen County's public library
history, 1895-1995.

Includes index and bibliographical references.

1. Allen County Public Library (Ind.) - History.

2. Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County (Ind.) - History.

3. Fort Wayne Public Library (Ind.) - History. 4. Public libraries
Indiana - Allen County - History. I. T. II. Allen County Public
Library (Ind.)

Z733.AL53 027.477274

Printed in the United States off America
by Evangel Press, Nappanee, Indiana

For my son, Schuyler Robert Slater Putt,
whom I hope will be a lover of books and libraries

and for my grandfather, William Richard Krinn,
who had an appreciation for history

Allen County Public Library
Director

Jeffrey R. Krull

Allen County Public Library
Board of Trustees

Mary M. Koehlinger,

Chairwoman
Patricia E. Riley, Vice

Chairwoman

Jack M. Carmean,

Secretary
C. Philip Andorfer

Charles E. Coleman
Alan McMahan
Paulina A. Salvador

Allen County Public Library Foundation
Board of Trustees

John F. Bonsib,

Chairman
Lawrence T. Kissko,

Secretary

William F. McNagny
Neil Anderson
Aldhem J. Eckert
Harriet Inskeep

W. Michael Horton
Thomas E. Quirk
Jack Carmean
Michael Mastrangelo

Friends of the Allen County Public Library
Board of Trustees

Michael Mastrangelo,

President
Betty Stein, Vice

President
Shirleyanne Casso,

Secretary
Jerry Fox, Treasurer
W. Michael Horton

Judith Lee
Virginia Stopher
Thomas Wooding
Richard Phillips, Jr.
Marsha L. Baltes
John H. Fallon
June E. Enoch
Joyce L. Leckrone
Alan L. VerPlanck

Gene D. Robertson

Leo Morris

Jack M. Carmean,

ACPL Trustee
Jeffrey R. Krull,

ACPL Director
Cheryl L. Hackworth,

Executive Secretary

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Chapter 1 : Early Library Service 1

Chapter 2: The Birth and Growth of a Public Library System .... 9

Chapter 3: Main Library Agencies & Services 65

Chapter 4: Bookmobiles & Branches 161

Chapter 5: Beyond Books

Collections, Culture & Programming 215

Experiments & Eccentricities 220

Auxiliary & Support Organizations 223

Issues in Librarianship 226

Modern Issues 245

Chapter 6: People 249

Staff List 255

Index 305

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Preface

It is a rare institution that remains viable in a community for one
hundred years, and maintains a special place in the hearts of the people it
serves for several generations. The Allen County Public Library is such an
institution. January 29, 1995, marks the one hundredth anniversary of the
opening of the public library in Fort Wayne. This history has been written
in celebration of the library's centennial.

This volume begins with a brief look at library service in Indiana
and in Allen County before the advent of the public library. It continues
with the history of the main library, and the library system as a whole.
Chapter 3 is dedicated to the history of each main library department; and
Chapter 4 contains the histories of the library's branches, both surviving and
defunct. These sections on the library's history are followed by a chapter
titled Beyond Books that highlights many subjects common to all libraries,
but specifically as they affect the Allen County Public Library. The library's
Friends organization and Foundation are included in this section, as well as
a discussion of library issues, such as technological changes, censorship, and
literacy. The book ends with a chapter dedicated to staff issues, complete
with a list of all employees, past and present, which is as comprehensive as
possible.

Sources for the compilation of this history have been culled from
areas all over the main library and beyond, from the Government Document
stacks beneath the Business and Technology Department to the oversize
drawers of the old Indiana Collection clipping files to the memory of former
Library Director Rick J. Ashton, now Director of the Denver Public Library
in Colorado. By far the most voluminous source, and probably the most
valuable overall to this project was the one named second in the example
above - the old Ic clipping files. The Indiana Collection was discontinued in
the early 1980s and its materials absorbed into other collections within the
library system. Oversized manilla folders full of newspaper clippings and
other ephemera on various Fort Wayne, Allen County, and Indiana subjects
still exist in the main library basement. A full bibliography of sources used
in the compilation of this book is on file in the archives of library materials
in the old Indiana Collection files. Anyone wishing to look at the originals
of the newspaper articles used as sources may ask at the reference desk of

the Historical Genealogy Department. Occasionally an article in a footnote
is listed as an "unidentified newspaper clipping." Almost certainly the
majority of these were published in one of the Fort Wayne newspapers, but
were not so-marked on the clippings.

One note that needs to be made to readers of this history concerns
the change that took place January 1 , 1980, merging the Fort Wayne Public
Library Board of Trustees with the Allen County Contractual Library Board
of Trustees. Prior to this date, the two were separate entities, although they
generally were discussed in sources as though they comprised one Board
(particularly in newspaper articles reporting the action taken at Board
meetings). Therefore, any references in this work to the Board of Trustees
of the library before January 1, 1980, refer to both the city and county
entities, and any references after that date refer to the combination Board.

Several people deserve acknowledgement for their various roles in
the compilation of this history. I will begin my thanks with my supervisor.
Curt B. Witcher, manager of the Historical Genealogy Department. Curt has
given me periodic injections of encouragement and advice from the project's
embryonic stages. The library's former leaders were invaluable. Fred J.
Reynolds consented to an interview. Robert H. Vegeler loaned me the
scrapbooks of clippings that he and his wife compiled. Rick J. Ashton wrote
lengthy comments to my questions and edited portions of my earliest
manuscript. The library's current Director, Jeffrey R. Krull, deserves thanks
for his approval of this project and efforts toward its production.
Department and branch managers read my histories of their areas, made
comments and suggestions, and provided encouragement. Longtime staff
members Marilyn Allmandinger, Laura McCaffery, Devaun Patten, and
Steven C. Fortriede perused the staff list and gave their insights. My
colleague in the Historical Genealogy Department, Delia Cothrun Bourne,
faithfully read nearly the entire manuscript in various incarnations, gave
suggestions, and caught some embarrassing typographical errors. Others
staff members, current and former, provided information or read smaller
portions of the manuscript and gave their input. They also have my
gratitude. Finally, Ryan Taylor, cataloguer for the Historical Genealogy
Department, has been my editor in the final stages of writing this history.
But I am grateftil to Ryan for more than the physical task of editing the
manuscript. I wish to thank him for his thoughtful advice, his sensitivity in
delivering constructive criticism, and for sharing in my excitement at
completing this project.

Dawne Slater-Putt
November 1994

Chapter 1
Early Library Service

Libraries in Indiana

As early as 1806, a decade before statehood, some Indiana Territory
residents were interested in forming a library. In July of that year, a few
citizens of Vincennes and the nearby area met at the home of William Hays
to promote the formation of a circulating library. Governor William Henry
Harrison was appointed chairman of the project and Benjamin Parke was
secretary. The Vincennes Library Company was active until the Civil War.
The year 1806 was an important one in Vincennes area library history. It
was also in that year that the legislature of the Northwest Territory
incorporated Vincennes University and authorized the trustees of the facility
to hold a lottery and raise up to $20,000, $3,000 of which was earmarked
for the establishment of a library. An early library also was located in Parke
County in about 1806 or 1807.

In 1824, Indiana University opened at Bloomington with a library.
Fire, a particular enemy of early libraries, partially destroyed the book
collection of the Indiana University Library in 1 854 and again in 1 883 .

By 1928, college and university libraries in the state were growing
into impressive research centers. Indiana University Library contained
200,000 volumes; Purdue University Library had 75,000 volumes; and the
library at the normal school in Terre Haute (later Indiana State University)
had 105,000 volumes. Other institutions with good library facilities included
the library at the normal school in Muncie (later Ball State University), and
Hanover, Wabash, Franklin, DePauw, and Earlham Colleges. Notre Dame's
library contained 135,000 volumes. The College of Missions (now Butler
University) at Indianapolis had 9,000 volumes in a special missionary
collection.

In 1838, William Maclure, a native of Ayr, Scotland, established
the New Harmony Working Men's Institute with Robert Dale Owen at the
New Harmony Settlement in New Harmony, Indiana. Maclure died in 1840,
and in his will stipulated that "any club or society of laborers who may

establish, in any part of the United States, a reading and lecture room with
a library of at least one hundred volumes," would receive a donation of
$500 from his estate for the purchase of books. From 1855, when the funds
became available, to 1859, donations were made from Maclure's estate to
144 Working Men's, Mechanics', and Literary Association Libraries in
eighty-nine Indiana counties and a few Illinois towns. However, without
annual funds for rejuvenation and the purchase of new books, the collections
of the Maclure libraries quickly fell into disrepair or became outdated.
"They did a great service in their day, however, and many a man of the last
generation looked back with gratitude to their influence."'

Other non-public libraries of the time included one at Vincennes
with 15,000 volumes, among them age-old books and early archives
materials; St. Anselm's Abbey monastic library at St. Meinrad, which
contained 30,000 volumes; and several law and medical libraries, such as
the Indiana state law library of 80,000 volumes, Indiana University's law
school library, the Indiana Bar Association library of 30,000 volumes, the
Indiana University School of Medicine Library, and the Indianapolis Public
Library's 12, 000- volume medical collection. The South Bend Public Library
also had a medical collection.

The State Library

Benjamin Parke, secretary of the Vincennes Library Company,
introduced a resolution at the 1816 Indiana Constitutional Convention,
asking that the General Assembly appropriate money "to the purchase of
books for a library for the use of the legislature and other officers of
government. "^

In 1825, the Legislature appropriated money for the establishment
of the Indiana State Library, one of the first six state libraries in the United
States. The Secretary of State became the ex-officio librarian from 1825
through 1841, and received an extra $125 salary per year for this duty.
Beginning in 1841, state librarians were elected by the Legislature or
appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Indiana State Library. Some early
state librarians were John B, Dillon, Nathaniel Bolton, Jacob P. Ehinn,
Mary Eileen Ahem, William E. Henry, and Demarchus C. Brown.

In 1903, the privilege of using the State Library was extended to the
citizens of the state of Indiana.

'Louis J. Bailey, "Libraries in Indiana," The Library Journal, Apr. 15,
1928, 336-337.

%id., 335.

Public Libraries

By 1816, the year of statehood, Indiana boasted a population of
63,897 residents, who primarily were scattered through thirteen counties
along the Ohio and Wabash Rivers. The 1816 State Constitution enabled the
establishment of libraries in new counties as they were formed by directing
the General Assembly to apply at least ten percent of the proceeds of the
sale of town lots in the county seat toward a public library, and to
incorporate a library company that would ensure the permanence of the
facility, and extend its benefits to the population.

By 1850, Indiana had fifty-eight county libraries containing 46,000
volumes. As the state's population increased through the 1850s,
dissatisfaction began growing in many areas with the small collections of
books located at the county seats. In 1852, the new Indiana State
Constitution included in its portion concerning free public schools some
provision for public libraries, as well. Libraries, like schools, were to be
provided on a township basis. In Indiana, $270,000 was collected in three
years and spent for books which were distributed among the townships.
About 300 books were included in each township library. They "were
thoroly [sic] appreciated and abundantly read but for lack of annual funds
to add and repair books they rapidly decreased in usefiilness."'

The war years of the early 1860s prevented attempts to revive
interest in township libraries. However through the 1870s, the Indiana
Legislature showed its interest in the subject of libraries by passing various
legislation designed to provide means of organization of libraries through
school boards and private and semi-public bodies. In 1881, the State
Legislature passed a bill written by Robert S. Robertson, a Fort Wayne
resident, allowing the Board of School Trustees to levy a tax for a public
library. [See The Long Road to a Public Library, Chapter 2.J The Public
Library Commission was established in 1899 through the influence of the
Union of Literary Clubs. Soon thereafter, the Commission began visiting
small communities with its traveling collections of books. The Commission
became an extension division of the Indiana State Library in 1926. In 1901,
a new law gave town boards the power to expand town library service to
township library service.

Also in 1901, the steel magnate turned philanthropist, Andrew
Carnegie, began bestowing his gifts of monies to towns for public libraries.
Indiana erected the largest number of Carnegie libraries. From 1917, a
Carnegie library, or any city or town library that had been established
previously, was able to extend its service to the rural population of the
county through legislation enacted by the Indiana State Legislature.

In 1927, public libraries in Indiana received $1,700,000 through

3lbid.,336.

taxation and $110,000 through gifts, fines, and other revenue. Public
libraries spent more than ninety cents per capita. They owned a total of
3,100,000 volumes, which circulated more than 13,000,000 times among
two million users. Of those with access to local public libraries, forty-two
percent were cardholders. Although 164 Carnegie buildings and twenty-eight
other public libraries had been erected in Indiana by 1928, nearly one third
of the state's population still was without a local public library. The largest
public library system in the state was the Indianapolis Public Library with
its seventeen branches, more than 100,000 borrowers, and an annual
circulation of more than two million. Other large libraries were in Fort
Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Gary, and Terre Haute. Allen,
Vanderburgh, and Cass Counties had countywide public library service.

Libraries in Fort Wayne and Allen County

"The establishment of so many libraries in Indiana is but an
evidence that our state is following the prevailing impulse of the country,"
Merica Hoagland said in her speech at the 1904 dedication of the Carnegie
library building in Fort Wayne. Hoagland, a Fort Wayne resident, was
known as the most prominent library worker in Indiana and in 1904 was an
organizer for the Indiana Library Commission. "The completion of this
imposing library building is a substantial evidence that the citizenship of
Fort Wayne is fully abreast of the times and in touch with the larger world
movement.""* This "larger world movement" was a boom in the
establishment of free public libraries that swept the nation in the last half of
the nineteenth century and early in the twentieth century. However,
reflecting the trend at the state level, libraries of various kinds existed in
Fort Wayne and Allen County long before the public library movement.
These included the township libraries, facilities established by the schools,
local organizations and churches, and by private individuals. Perhaps partial
reason for the delay in the establishment of a public library in Fort Wayne
was the existence of these private and rental libraries, and small, personal
libraries in the homes of many early residents.

In 1824, when Allen County was laid off, ten percent of the money
from the sale of lots was set aside for a public library by the County Agent,
in accordance with the provision in the Indiana State Constitution of 1816.
During the next eighteen years, this money totaled about $1,700. Library
trustees were in place before 1835, although it is not known when the
library itself was formed. Trustees of this early library included Benjamin
Archer, Robert Brackenridge, Reuben J. Dawson, William G. Ewing,

'*"Fort Wayne's Beautiful New Library Is Confided to the Public," Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan. 8, 1904.

Robert Fleming, Allen Hamilton, Joseph Holman, Philip G. Jones, J.H.
Kincade, William Means, Isaac DeGroff Nelson, Smallwood V.B. Noel,
Franklin P. Randall, Thomas Smith, John Spencer, Madison Sweetser,
Osborn Thomas, and George W, Wood. The position of library trustee was
abolished in 1844, and the duties transfered to the Allen County
Commissioners.

The Library Committee of the Allen County Commissioners in 1850
was composed of Hugh McCulloch, Joseph K. Edgerton, and Henry R.
Colerick. Colerick was Librarian in 1851, and Franklin P. Randall was
treasurer. Use of the library probably was not entirely free to the public,
since Randall was granted free use of the books in compensation for his
services. The collection may have numbered as many as five hundred books
at its height. In 1855, the Commissioners divided the county into library
districts for the distribution of books, but transportationwas difficult. "It was
the careless gathering of a sack full [sic], carrying to the center of exchange,
that separated the volumes, and the confusion was never fully restored to
order. "^ Eventually some of these books found their way into the hands of
township trustees and may have become part of the township libraries.

Township Libraries

The Indiana State Constitution of 1852 contained a provision for the
establishment of public libraries on the township level. Legislation was
passed imposing a tax of one fourth of a mill on all taxable property and
twenty-five cents on each poll, the resulting funds to be used for free
township libraries. This law expired in 1854, but was reenacted. Books for
township libraries were selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction
and distributed to the townships according to population. Township Trustees
were custodians of the libraries.

One stated purpose of the township libraries was to furnish citizens
with a means of self-education. Although the books in the township facilities
were deemed adequate, the system of their administration was defective.
Trustees often were careless in seeing that books were returned, and as a
result, many were lost. When the supply of new books from the state
ceased, the collections dwindled. In addition, books often were stored
temporarily in people's homes. This lack of permanent locations for the
township collections contributed to their downfall. However, despite the
shortcomings of the township libraries, at one time they were the only
library game in town. The Wayne Township library at one point was open
Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons and had a collection of 1 ,200

^John H. Jacobs, "Libraries of Allen County," Chapter XVII in History
of the Maumee River Basin: Allen County, Indiana, II, ed. by Col. Robert
S. Robertson (Indianapolis: Bowen & Slocum, 1905), 329.

books in its catalog and a daily circulation of ICX) volumes.

As the township libraries declined in numbers of volumes and in
usefulness between the 1850s and the turn of the century, schools often
started libraries of their own for the use of their students, and occasionally
for the use of the general citizenry in the area. Remnants of the township
library collections often were given to these embryo school libraries. In the
schools, teachers chose books for the collections, and were able to ensure
that books were provided.

Working Men's Institute Library

Like many other Indiana cities. Fort Wayne was the home of a
Working Men's Institute library, established in part with a grant from the
estate of Scottish philanthropist William Maclure, who was interested in the
education of the working class. The Working Men's Institute of Fort Wayne
was founded in August 1855. Members included John Arnold, H.P. Ayres,
Sion S. Bass, W.H. Bryant, John Cochrane, Henry Colerick, John Drake,
William Fleming, George Humphrey, John S. Irwin, Isaac Knapp, Rev.
John M. Lowry, Neil McLachlan, D.W. Maples, John M. Miller, John
Morris, Kerr Murray, Lindley M. Ninde, W.S. Smith, Thomas Tigar,
James B. White, and B.S. Woodworth. Tigar, a native of England and
editor of the Fort Wayne Sentinel, was President of the organization at its
founding. Other officers included Cochrane, vice president; Humphrey,
treasurer; and Miller, secretary. William Fleming, a native of Ireland and
influential local voice in business and politics, was librarian.

Arnold, Bryant, Drake, Maples, and Smith served on a committee
selected to solicit books to qualify for the Workingmen's Institute grant,
which was done. With the Maclure money, the book committee purchased
about five hundred volumes of fiction, history, biography, travel,
agriculttire, and mechanical arts. The library was established in a room over
the Evans & Company dry goods store on West Columbia Street. To belong
to the Institute, a prospective member paid a fifty-cent entrance fee and $1
annual dues. At first it was stipulated that members must "earn their living
by the labor of their hands, "^ but judging from the professions of men
known to have been members, this requirement soon was ignored.

A few months after its establishment, the Working Men's Institute
of Fort Wayne merged with the local Young Men's Literary Society.
Members of the latter society at the time of the merger were D.N. Bash,
Henry W. Bond, Samuel A. Freeman, H.C. Gray, A.G. Meyer, Henry J.
Rudisill, and M.H. Taylor. The newly enlarged local Working Men's
Institute sponsored a course of lectures, charging a twenty-five-cent entrance
fee, and garnered $50 for the effort. The organization held regular weekly

^Jacobs, "Libraries of Allen County," 331

meetings and debates, and added magazines to its collection. Some titles
included were Harpers Monthly, Atlantic Monthly. North American Review,
and Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine.

More than two hundred men belonged to the Working Men's
Institute Library in Fort Wayne during its history. However interest
gradually declined through the 1860s as older members died or ceased their
memberships, as the Civil War claimed the interest of local citizens, and
because no provision had been made for the purchase of new books or to
cover running expenses. In 1867, the facility was moved to the upper room
of the Allen County Courthouse, and in 1869 to the high school for the joint
use of Institute members and students. Eventually, some of the remaining
books were given to the Fort Wayne Public Library upon its opening in
1895.

Catholic Library Hall

The Catholic Library Association in Fort Wayne was established in
1871 and opened a library known as Hibemia Hall on the third floor of the
Breen building at the comer of Calhoun and Lewis Streets. The "well-
lighted, pleasant room" was open 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 3 and 7
to 9 p.m. Sunday, Anyone older than fifteen was eligible to pay $1 to join
the Association. Members could read in the reading hall, or borrow from
the collection of more than 1 ,000 volumes. The collection was not confined
to Catholic works or authors. "Although under the auspices of a Catholic
society, the Library has been arranged upon liberal principles, with a view
of meeting the demands of those of whatever religious inclination, who seek
pleasure and knowledge from the most approved works. "^

Ten years later, in 1881, ground was broken for a new Catholic
Library Hall at the comer of Calhoun and Lewis. It opened in June 1882,
with a society room, bowling alley, billiary [billiards?] room, St. Vincent
de Paul Relief Society quarters and store rooms, a chapel, a library and
reading rooms, and a theater hall. Construction of the building cost $40,000,
all but $2,000 of which was raised by subscription. "A few years ago Father
Brammer conceived the idea of forming a library association, with the
design of collecting together a sufficient number of works on science,
history, literature and miscellaneous subjects, for the purpose of circulation
in the community. The library, in a short time, numbered 5,000 volumes.
A diffusion of useful knowledge throughout the community has been the
result. The number of both sexes who availed themselves of the benefits of
the library . . . inspired the thought which has called into being this great

'Catholic Library," Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel, Jan. 9, 1872.

institution,"* Judge Edward O'Rourke said at the dedication exercises of
Catholic Library Hall. The cornerstone of the building was laid by Bishop
Joseph Dwenger. It was noted that the hall was made possible partly through
the work of the women of the community and donations from non-Catholic
men.

In 1888, the Indianapolis News Record described the Catholic
Library Hall in Fort Wayne as the finest building of its kind in the state. At
that time, it held a collection of more than 5,000 books and pamphlets, and
the reading room included a large number of newspapers and magazines.

Emerlne J. Hamilton Reading Room

Perhaps it could be argued that Fort Wayne's first true public
library was the free reading room established by Emerine J, Hamilton and
her daughters on the south side of Wayne Street between Calhoun and
Harrison Streets. The increasing number of art and literary clubs through the
1880s made the lack of a local public library apparent and regrettable. In
1887, Emerine Hamilton and her daughters, Mary Williams, Ellen
Wagenhals, and Margaret Hamilton, established the Free Reading Room for
Women at 19 West Wayne Street. It included magazines, newspapers,
reference books, and about 400 other "well selected volumes consisting
largely of the best fiction and books relating to art and general literature. "'

The facility was intended at its inception to be a reading room only,
but attendance was such that in 1889, it was enlarged into a circulating
library. Additions to the collection at that time included historical and
biographical books and books for children. Susan Catherine Wines Hoffman
was the first librarian of what was renamed the Emerine J. Hamilton
Reading Room following Emerine Hamilton's death. Other librarians were
Laura Detzler, Nancy McLachlan, and Helen Tracy Guild with Emma
Eckles as assistant. All of these women later worked for the Fort Wayne
Public Library, and Hofftnan was its first librarian. The Reading Room
grew in importance and usefulness until the public library was established
in 1895. At that time, its continuance seemed no longer necessary and most
of its books were turned over to the Young Women's Christian Association
(YWCA). Some of these in turn were donated to the public library.

*"A Palace of Beauty," Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Jun. 11, 1882.
"Father Brammer" was Joseph Henry Brammer.

^"Workingmen's Library Founded Here in 1855," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Aug. 18, 1931.

Chapter 2

The Birth and Growth
of a Public Library System

The Allen County Public Library is a service institution. It seeks to inform,
educate, entertain, and culturally enrich the entire conununity by providing
books and other library materials , facilities , and professional service, freely
available to all.

The city hall in Fort Wayne was aglow with light on the evening of
January 28, 1895, as citizens attended a public meeting and reception
celebrating the establishment - at long last - of a public library in their city.
Mayor Chauncey B. Oakley presided over the meeting. Circulation of books
began at 10 a.m. the following day from two small rooms in City Hall. A
public library for Fort Wayne had been desired by citizens for several years,
but the journey to obtain such a facility had been a long one.

The Long Road
to a Public Library

The idea of a public library in Fort Wayne was conceived by David
N. Foster, a Civil War veteran and former journalist, and his allies in the
late 1870s. Foster left his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1877 and
moved to Fort Wayne, not then, as he termed it, "an ideal American city."'
In 1877, Fort Wayne not only had no public library, but no sewers, no
water works, no paved streets, and only a volunteer fire department. In the
summer of 1880, Foster and other residents interested in the idea of a public
library approached local attorney Robert S. Robertson for aid. Robertson,

•What to Read," Fort Wayne Journal, Jan. 29, 1895.
9

without pay, wrote an act that empowered all cities and incorporated towns
in Indiana to provide a free public library in connection with the local
school system, and the authority to levy a tax of not more than three cents
on each $100 worth of property to establish and maintain the facility. The
bill passed on March 7, 1881.

Ironically, in Fort Wayne where the bill originated, no public
library appeared for fourteen more years, although the Board of School
Trustees asked the city council for a tax levy for a library that very first
year - in the spring of 1881 . The Fort Wayne Common Council, which was
described in Foster's speech at the library opening celebration as "dominated
by persons who were hostile to the enterprise and who at once set about
finding some way to evade the law,"^ managed to do just that. The Council
found what Foster termed a "loophole" in a late provision added to the
library bill while it was before the legislature.

Evansville representatives at that time noted that their city was one
of two in the state that already had a public library supported by taxation,
and that it might prefer to follow its "old law," rather than adopt the policies
set down by the proposed bill. The Evansville representatives suggested the
following provision to Robertson's bill: "Provided: That in any city or
incorporated town where there is already established a library open to all the
people, no tax shall be levied for the purpose herein named. "^

When Fort Wayne's board of school trustees requested a tax levy
for the purpose of establishing a public library in 1881, the city attorney
reported that the city already had "a library open to all our people," and the
council denied the request. Foster, in his speech, described this "library"
as "a back office and on the dust-covered shelves of our township trustee. "*
It probably consisted of the remnants of one of the old township libraries
established by law in 1852, 1854, and 1855, and allowed to become defunct.

"So while the cities of Indianapolis, Richmond, Terre Haute,
Lafayette, Logansport, New Albany, Evansville, Valparaiso, Crawfordsville,
Vincennes, Muncie, Kokomo, Anderson and others have gone on
establishing libraries and increasing them year by year. Fort Wayne, to
whom belongs the credit of the law, is still sitting in darkness."^

The organization ultimately responsible for the creation of a public

^Ibid.

*Ibid.

^"A Public Library: Work Undertaken by the Woman's Club League,
Fort Wayne Sentinel, Mar. 17, 1893.

library in Fort Wayne was formed in 1892. The Woman's Club League,
consisting of eleven of "the leading clubs and other progressive
organizations of Fort Wayne, "^ came to life under the influence of Alice
Peacock Dryer, its first president. The League's goals were to establish a
public library, and perform "other good work for the city,"^ Members of
the League were Dryer, Ellen R. Bursley, Mary A. Fleming Harding,
Fanny W. Wright Taylor, Elizabeth Maier Dawson, Mrs. W.H. Meyers,
Susan Catherine Wines Hoffman, Samantha M. Brenton Spencer, Agnes
Hamilton, Lottie Lowry, Lizzie Chapin, and Sarah J. Pyne Foster. Soon
after the League formed, Foster introduced the resolution that the League
take steps to secure the establishment of a public library. Fort Wayne's
population had grown to more than 50,000 by 1892, and "as the population
of the city grew, literary and artistic interests grew apace. "*

Finally, in July of 1893, the Woman's Club League presented to the
Fort Wayne Common Council a petition that had been signed by hundreds
of Fort Wayne taxpayers who were in favor of a public library. "Fort
Wayne, whose citizens secured the enactment of the law, has the discredit
of being the only large city in the state that has not availed itself of the
provisions of that act," the petition read. "Nearly all the cities of the state
have been building up and operating fine public libraries, greatly to the
profit and satisfaction of all their people."' The local Board of School
Trustees, acting on behalf of the League, requested of the Council that a tax
be levied for the project, which was done at a rate of one and a half cents
and garnered $3,261.11. In June 1894, the League secured the use of a
room in the Fort Wayne City Hall and preparation, including the gathering
and cataloging books, began. From the beginning, all of the library's books
were cataloged according to the Dewey classification system.

As of August 1894, a public library committee had been formed of
the following citizens: Margaret Hamilton, Mrs. Alexander S. Lauferty,
John Jacobs, Chester T. Lane, Reverend Samuel Wagenhals, Robert S.
Robertson, Alice Dryer (chairwoman), and Merica Hoagland (secretary).
After purchasing shelving and furniture for the library, the committee had

''B.J. Griswold, The Pictorial History of Fort Wayne (Chicago: Robert
O. Law Company, 1917), 529.

'"Fort Wayne's Beautiful New Library Is Confided to the People."

^"Potterf Traces Growth of Library System in City," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Mar. 8, 1935.

'^Journal of Proceedings of the Common Council, City of Fort Wayne,
Indiana, Regular Session, July 25, 1893.

Fort Wayne's City Hall was the first
home of the public library.

$1 ,500 left to buy books, primarily

"standard and popular woiics of

history, sociology, biography,

fiction, travel, music and art."'°

Many organizations and individuals

donated books to the embryo

library, including the Woman's

Club League, the Allen County

Teachers' Association, the public

high school library, and

individuals. A Mrs. Diffenderfer

[possibly Isabella] donated books

from the Wells estate, and Amanda

M. Dawson, widow of John W.

Dawson, gave the committee books

from her husband's estate. In

addition, almost 1 ,500 books were

purchased specifically for the new library. Of the books from the high

school library, a portion had been part of the collection of the Working

Men's Institute Library operated earlier in the city.

Initially, it was hoped that the library would be open to citizens in
October 1894 with at least 3,500 volumes. When it did open in late January
1895, the collection numbered 3,606 volumes. Susan Hoffman was the first
librarian of the Fort Wayne Public Library. She had been librarian in the
free reading room of Emerine J. Hamilton that had preceded the public
library.

The Earliest Years

In September 1895, the public library moved into its own building
in the former Sol D. Bay less property on the southwest comer of Wayne
and Clinton Streets, later the site of the Strand Theatre. In addition to
facilities for storing and loaning books, this new library location had a
reading room, "which at once justified its existence."" By July 31, 1896,
the public library had 4,161 books in its collection. Early library staff
members included Susan Hoffman, Clara Fowler, Jennie Evans, Margaret
M. Colerick, Nancy McLachlan, and Sarah L. Sturgis. Helen Tracy Guild,

'""Public Library: Report from the Committee on that Enterprise," Fort
Wayne DaiTy Gazette, Aug. 30, 1894.

"W.E. Henry, Municipal and Institutional Libraries of Indiana
(Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission of Indiana, 1904), 43.

hired in 1897, was the library's first cataloger.

Susan Hoffman resigned her position in 1896, and Clara Fowler was
appointed the second librarian of the public library. Fowler, called "one of
the most refined and highly cultured women in Fort Wayne, "'^ died July
27, 1898, after a long illness. Margaret Colerick, acting librarian during
Fowler's illness, became the facility's third librarian. Meanwhile, the
library's governing body, the Board of School Trustees, was in the process
of purchasing the next home for the Fort Wayne Public Library.

Late in the 18(X)s, it was common practice among members of the
Board of School Trustees to deposit school funds left over at the end of a
term into the bank in the trustees' names. The resulting interest was
pocketed by the trustees as a fringe benefit. Local banker Samuel M. Foster
disapproved of this practice and suggested to the Board in 1895 that the
interest be used for acquiring property for a library building, since the
original location in City Hall was inadequate. An "extended controversy"
over the subject ensued. Finally, Foster was appointed to the three-member
board, along with a "like-minded citizen."'^ From that point, a Board of
School Trustees policy earmarked accumulated interest on school funds for
public library purposes. In July 1898, Board members Foster, William P.
Cooper, and Andrew J. Boswell purchased the library's third home, the
former residence of Eliza Brackenridge.

In October 1898, the collection of 10,000 books was moved to the
Brackenridge home at the comer of Wayne and Webster Streets. The
building had been remodeled for use as a library, and a description of the
new facility was published in a local newspaper in November 1898: "The
rooms are large, light and well ventilated and have a cheery, home-like
atmosphere not often found in public institutions." The first floor housed a
reading room with current newspapers and periodicals; a reference room
with encyclopedias, other reference books, and books on subjects children
were studying in the local schools; a librarian's room with desks for
Colerick and her assistants; a case room where the facility's books were
stored; and a small room for unpacking books. The second floor included
magazine and newspaper rooms, presumably where outdated issues were
kept; a store room; a room for government publications; a large assembly
room; and a room that was planned as a medical library. A card catalog, to
replace the old finding list of books, was available in the new library.

Each new home of the Fort Wayne Public Library was more

'^Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907."

'^"Founding and Growth of Library Told," Fort Wayne /<3«r/u2/ Gazette,
March 1958. It has not been ascertained whether the "like-minded citizen"
was William P. Cooper or Andrew J. Boswell.

spacious and convenient for library services than the last, but soon even the
Brackenridge property had been outgrown. "The new quarters were a great
improvement, but soon it became evident that a larger building and one
especially adapted to library work would in a little while be
indispensable.'"'* In 1901, the Woman's Club League moved back into
action and with the cooperation of the mayor and some prominent
businessmen of the city, approached Pennsylvania philanthropist Andrew
Carnegie regarding a grant for a new public library building.

The Carnegie Library Building

"About this time [early 1900s] that thrifty, canny, acquisitive,
avaricious old Scotsman, Andrew Carnegie, was donating money to
municipalities to be used in building Carnegie public libraries, in this way
creating a monument to the old Caledonian in every city."'' Carnegie
donated almost 3,000 libraries across the world from 1881 through 1917,
Of these, almost 2,000 were in the United States and 164 were in Indiana
cities - more than in any other state. Carnegie did not grant the first request
of the Woman's Club League, and a second request was made. According
to a newspaper article of the time, Carnegie was seated behind an ancient
roll top desk when members of the committee called on him and "labored
mightily to convince the steel magnate of the present potential and future
greatness of Fort Wayne. He took the conversation away from them and
began to tell them things about Fort Wayne's future, based on material he
had collected on the city. He said the prospects of the little city of 40,000
would justify his donating $250,000, but that the city had to donate ten
percent of that figure per year for maintenance. " '** At the time, the city
gave just $7,500 per year toward the operation of its library, an amount
some taxpayers already thought was excessive, so the library committee
asked Carnegie to limit his gift to Fort Wayne to $75,000. It was the largest
single donation in Indiana by Carnegie for a library. Later, he was asked for
another $15,000, bringing his total gift to the city to $90,000.

In July 1901, library services moved to the second floor of the
Elektron Building on East Berry Street and remained there during the
construction of the Carnegie building. It was in these temporary quarters

"*Henry, Municipal and Institutional Libraries, 44.

'^"Founding and Growth of Library Told."

'%id. Another source, "Carnegie Centennial Recalls Aid Given to
Library Here," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Nov. 25, 1935, gives the amount
as $150,000.

that the first specialization within the collections of the Fort Wayne Public
Library occurred, when a comer of one room was reserved exclusively for
children's books. This departmentalization would continue as the library
grew. In 1912, the Business and Municipal Department, now known as the
Business and Technology Department, was formed. As early as 1905, the
library was collecting material relating to the history of Indiana and Allen
County in particular, which later became the Indiana Collection, a
complement to the nationally-acclaimed Historical Genealogy Department.
The Historical Genealogy Department formally was established in 1961 . The
precursor of today's Art, Music and Audiovisual Services E>epartment began
during World War II as the Record Room, where patrons could borrow 78
rpm discs. The Young Adults' Room opened in 1952. Public access cable
television was added to the library with the Telecommunication Center in
1981.

It was in the Elektron Building that library staff first began
experimenting with the open-stack system, allowing patrons to browse the
shelves and retrieve their own books, rather than requiring them to request
a particular title. Despite the move to cramped temporary quarters, the
public library continued to be popular among Fort Wayne residents. In
1903, for example, visits to the reading room numbered 24,000, and
circulation by December 26 had been 17,510, an average of 175 books per
day. This number reflected only the books taken out of the building, and did
not include books used in the reference room.

Construction of Fort Wayne's new Carnegie library building was
complete by January of 1904. Alfred Grindle designed the Grecian-style
building, and William Geake and Sons were contractors. Built of buff-
colored Indiana Bedford limestone, the library had a broad staircase and a
portico supported by six Corinthian columns. It measured 102 by 118 feet,
with a
basement.
Construction
of the
Carnegie
building was
debt-free. The
$1 10,700
building cost
was paid with
Carnegie's
$90,000 gift
and a Board
of School

r u s t e e s jj^^ magestic Carnegie building was constructed of
contribution. Bedford limestone.

The Board purchased the building lot with funds raised by taxation. The
main shape of the building was rectangular, with a circular room on the
south end that housed the stacks of books. The interior of the Carnegie was
white oak, with plate glass above the wainscot line in all walls. The
circulation, or delivery, desk was in a large central lobby, with stacks
behind and reading rooms on each side. A double staircase led to the second
floor and had steps and railings of Italian marble. On the second floor, the
central area was open, outlined by an oak railing and covered with a
stained-glass rotunda. On the second floor were the lecture room, the
museum room, and staff rooms. The workroom was in the basement.

"The building is excellently lighted, plate glass windows being
plentiful, and the interior is fiilly wired and provided with electric lights,
with nicely tinted green shades. The building is fire proof and is heated by
steam. Toilet rooms and all other accessories are also provided, and the
building may be said to be complete in every detail.*"^

The dedication of the Carnegie building took place January 7, 1904.
Charles S. Bash, president of the Board of School Trustees, presented the
building, and Fort Wayne Mayor Henry C. Berghoff accepted it on behalf
of the citizens of Fort Wayne. Speakers were Bash, Berghoff, Judge Robert
S. Taylor, and Fort Wayne resident Merica Hoagland, who represented the
Indiana Library Commission. Hoagland gave her definition of the
philosophy of the public library:

"This I take to be the function of the public library, the deepening
of the knowledge imparted by the home, the school and church until it shall
have become a well spring of contentment from which strong character may
be nourished.

"A public library, when it performs its highest duty brings about a
unification of all the social and religious forces in a community, asking no
questions as to age, sex, social standing or educational qualifications of its
patrons. It opens wide its portals to men of all manners, nationalities and
creeds. It matters not whether they are Jews or Gentiles, Roman Catholics
or Protestant, or whether they have any form of religious belief. It is truly
cosmopolitan in its sympathies."'*

Judge Taylor praised Carnegie for the gift to Fort Wayne of a
public library, and answered citizens who had criticized that it was in bad
taste and humiliating to accept such an expensive gift from a stranger.
Taylor said that it would have been more creditable if a local citizen had
donated the money for the library, but none had. "Fort Wayne has no reason
to be proud of her rich men, living or dead," Taylor said. "In fact, we

'^"Fort Wayne's Beautiful New Library Is Confided to the People."
'%id.

cannot help being a little ashamed of them. Whom among them except
Thomas W. Swinney ever did anything at all note- worthy for the public
benefit in this city? Meanwhile, the boys and girls were growing up. We
needed the building. "

Carnegie, although invited, did not attend the dedication of the
building he had funded. He sent a letter to Mayor Berghoff to be read in his
absence. In it, he reminisced about traveling through Fort Wayne years
before: "The splendid public building pictured on your papers - I presume
the city hall - carries me back to one day soon after the railroad was opened
between Pittsburg and Chicago. I was upon the engine and Mr. DuBarry,
then chief of the engineer corps, pointed to a few struggling little frame
houses as we rushed past, and said, 'This is called Fort Wayne and will be
a town some day, I think.' A true prophet he was." Carnegie ended his
letter by saying "... although I cannot be present you may rest assured Fort
Wayne and its doings upon January 7 will be in my mind from morning till
night, while my earnest wish for the happiness of all its people will remain
while I live.""

At its opening, the Carnegie building housed 17,510 volumes. Each
year since 1898, 1 ,000 to 2,000 books had been added to the collection. The
library was open twelve hours a day, six days a week in its new building,
and the reading room was open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The staff
numbered five people, four day staff who worked forty-eight hours per
week, and one evening assistant who worked twenty-one hours per week.

Growth and popularity of the Fort Wayne Public Library led to a
number of changes during the first three decades of the twentieth century.
In 1909, the first outreach service to the community was a deposit collection
of books placed at Wayne Knitting Mills. Two subject areas, the Children's
Room and the Business and Municipal Department, were created in 1907
and 1912, respectively. Also in 1912, the first branch of the public library -
Southside Branch - opened at 2520 South Calhoun Street. In 1915, the
library established a separate Order Department, and in 1916, the Extension
Department officially began, with the goal of placing deposit collections of
books in city industrial plants, fire departments, and other locations.

Circulation increases in the late 1910s were not as dramatic as in the
first few Carnegie years. This was attributed to the influenza epidemic of
1918 and factors related to the United States' involvement in World War I.
In support of the war effort, the library allowed Eva R. Peck of the Business
and Municipal Department a leave of absence to become librarian at Camp
Mills, Lx)ng Island, New York; displayed posters for food conservation and
other war causes; sponsored a money campaign for books for soldiers and
sailors, then prepared and shipped 11,000 books to military camps; and

•^Ibid.

acted as a headquarters and meeting place for various wartime organizations.
The library's staff also contributed to the support of a French war orphan.

Service to County Residents

During the summer of 1920, under the leadership of County School
Superintendent David O. McComb, Allen County residents circulated
petitions asking that the services of the Fort Wayne Public Library be
extended beyond the city limits of Fort Wayne to include residents of the
county. At least twenty-five percent of the taxpaying population of the
county signed the petitions and a tax for county library service was levied
in October of 1920. The Fort Wayne Public Library had become the Public
Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County. "This [was] the culmination of
about a fifteen year dream of mine to get the county as a unit, and it was
finally accomplished,"^ Librarian Margaret Colerick later wrote.

Technically, citizens living in Allen County but not within the
boundaries of Fort Wayne could get library service before this time, but it
was not free, and it was not in their neighborhoods. To obtain library
privileges prior to 1920, county residents were required to pay an annual fee
of $1, or show a tax receipt proving that they owned property within Fort
Wayne proper. It was necessary to travel to downtown Fort Wayne or to a

city branch, once they were
established, to use the library.
County residents had dreams of
branch libraries in their own areas.
Allen County residents
were timely in their request for an
extension of library service beyond
the county seat. Other county-wide
library systems were being
established all over the country in
the late 1910s and eariy 1920s
because it was proving
economically advantageous. Like
the centralized school system,
money was saved by distributing
the expense of service over a
larger area. Two early county
library systems were established in
Van Wert and Hamilton Counties, Ohio. In 1917, legislation was enacted
in Indiana which permitted the extension of library service to the rural

Margaret Colerick's goal was
service for all county residents.

^M.M. Colerick, History of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County, Indiana, 1893-1930, unpublished manuscript.

mSmM

population of a county by any public library
that was already in existence. Allen,
Vanderburgh, and Cass were the first three
counties in Indiana to establish countywide
library service.

County library service was not an idea
without opposition locally. Some county
residents were unhappy with the idea of paying
a tax for county library service.
"Discouragements were met with, some
disgruntled taxpayers were encountered, many
misunderstandings had to be explained away,
but ... the campaign [for county service] was
waged to a successful conclusion in the summer
of 1920. "2'

In July of 1921, four citizens
representing residents of the county were added
to the Board of School Trustees. They were
Charles Hartung, Robert Murphy, Mrs. Curtis
F. Hubler, and Mrs. Ed Smith. Corinne Metz
was appointed county librarian on September 1 ,
and one of her first tasks was a survey of the
county to determine appropriate locations for
book deposits and county branches.

By 1922, Allen County had by far the most extensively organized
and most complete county library system in the state, and a newspaper
article noted that, "the very latest activity [of the library] is probably to be
one of the greatest influences in its far-reaching effect ever undertaken in
Fort Wayne, for the public library privileges have been extended beyond the
city and now the whole county of Allen is having the wonderful opportunity
of a big, first class free public library."^

The main library and its reading rooms were open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, during the 1920s. The Business and Technical
Department conformed to this schedule, but the Children's Room remained
open fewer hours during the week, probably due to the fact that many of its
patrons attended school. Reading rooms were open from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
and books could be returned, but no books were circulated that day.
Reference work was not encouraged on Sunday, but help was provided if

County Librarian
Corinne Metz and her
assistant, Adele
Warner.

^'Corinne A. Metz, "Allen County Library Service," Library Occurrent,
April 1922,241.

^L.G.D., "The Public Library," unidentified newspaper, circa 1920-21.

•

necessary. A description of the main library in about 1922 named the
following rooms and departments: the Children's Room, a reading room for
periodicals, a reference room, a delivery desk (for circulation of books), a
workroom for technical services personnel, the librarian's office, the
Business and Technical Department, and the County Department. Services
offered at that time included reference help, reserves, the availability of
meeting rooms, a specialized business reference service, and a planned
rental duplicate collection. The library also had an apprentice program
through which potential library employees could learn their trade on the job.
Interlibrary loan was another service that was in existence in the early
1920s. Through this process, other libraries could borrow books from the
collection of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, either for
their own use, or for their patrons.

The year 1929 was an important one in the history of the public
library. Accomplishments included the beginning of book wagon service, a
booming circulation that topped one million for the first time, and extensive
use of the reading rooms. About 25,000 used the main reading room in that
year.

The Great Depression

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, library officials
necessarily became creative in stretching the facility's shrinking budget in
an attempt to retain services and keep the collection of books in good repair.
Funds were not readily available for repair, and certainly not for the
purchase of many replacement volumes. In fact, expenditures of the library
system as a whole (city and county) increased from $126,000 in 1930 to
$144,000 in 1931, but then decreased back to $126,000 in 1932 and
dropped dramatically the next two years to $94,000 in 1933 and $84,000 in
1934. One newspaper article described the effect of the Depression on the
public library in Fort Wayne as "an almost mortal blow."^ Salaries were
cut, some reference desks were discontinued, and the hours reference
service was available were reduced. In 1933, the library budget was cut to
the point that it was necessary to discharge ten librarians, close several
branches, close the main library on Sundays and Mondays, and reduce the
number of new books purchased.

In an attempt to further stretch the library's budget, books were
removed from deposit stations in factories and other locations, telephone
service was discontinued in branches, open hours in branches were reduced,
and although local schools requested that their book deposits not be
discontinued, this was another service that the library system had to curtail

'Founding and Growth of Library Told.'

temporarily. Fred Reynolds remembered: "One of the earliest scenes I can
recall was the mending room in our old library building during the great
depression. Great stacks of book mending supplies such as adhesive cloth
and single and double stitch book mending materials were in evidence along
two long tables, along with paste and glue pots, awl and flax thread. The
going rate for high school girls who mended books in those days was fifteen

Laura Gearey repairs books in the library's mending room, 1936.

to twenty-five cents per hour."^ From 1931 to 1935, more books were
discarded than purchased, and the total number of volumes was being
depleted at an estimated rate of thousands per year. An ironic twist to the
plight of the emaciated library system was that its public needed and used
it more than ever during the Depression. The book stock was "almost worn
out by the hordes of unemployed who came to the library since they no
longer had money to spend on amusements and entertainment."^ More
than 35,000 people used the main library reading room in 1932. In the
Business and Technical Department, the lack of ftinds for new books was
especially felt as volumes were published on the latest scientific and
technical developments, yet could not be purchased.

Despite the worn out books, shorter hours, and smaller staffs, many
Fort Wayne and Allen County residents were thankful simply for the
existence of a public library. "At this present time when so many people are

^Fred J. Reynolds, "Putting a Book on the Shelf," Library Binder, May
1969, 19.

^"Founding and Growth of Library Told.

The newspaper reading room, 1936.

unable to buy the books they want
to read," said an article about the
Harlan Branch, "the appreciation is
double for these wonderful books,
which they may use without
charge. Although funds are
insufficient to keep the library open
all of the time, the open hours
have been arranged for the
convenience of everyone."^ A
1934 survey of library facilities
throughout the county noted that
books were "stacked in beautiful
little one-room libraries constructed
- luckily - before the big bad wolf of the depression came along, "^ and
expressed that there was "surprising efficiency on the part of library officials
despite the handicaps of a financial nature. Increasing demands have been
made upon all branches since the crash of the stock market in 1929 and now
the amount of money to be spent is far less than in the days of plenty.
Facilities have had to be cut down throughout the county, and yet this has
been effected in such a way as to maintain a maximum of help for readers
at a minimum cost to the taxpayers and a minimum inconvenience to the
borrowers of books. "^*

Not everyone agreed with this viewpoint that things were as good
as could be expected, however. In 1933, the Citizen's Library Committee
formed to fight belt-tightening trends that were seen as ominous. The
Committee's purpose was to "make citizens library conscious and to
prevent, at all hazards, the reduction of the library's cultural efficiency."^
A notice in the Fort Wayne News Sentinel in June of 1933 asked: "Do you
know that - Besides Little Turtle, Pontiac, Richardville and Shawnee
branches of the City Library there has been an extension service from it; for
example at the three hospitals, the Neighborhood House on John Street,

^"Community Prides the Harlan Library," unidentified newspaper, early
1930s.

^^"Rural Library Buildings, Deposits Are Features of Library System,"
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Apr. 15, 1934.

2«Ibid.

^Holman Hamilton, "Public Library's Stock of Books Reduced; Phones
Out at Branches," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, July 1933.

General Electric? That, however, this service has been greatly curtailed
because of a reduced library budget?"^ The notice also mentioned that
county branches were open only two days per wedc, when they previously
had been open six days per week, and that some county extension service
had been suspended.

The goal of the Citizen's Library Committee in 1934 was to obtain
an increased library budget for 1935, and to reopen branches and restore the
library's status near normal. Members of the committee included Rabbi S.H.
Markowitz (chairman), Ernest J. Gallmeyer (acting chairman), the Right
Reverend Monsignor Thomas Conroy of the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, Professor William C. Burhop of Concordia College, Mrs. F.W.
Kranz, Donnelly P. McDonald of the Peoples Trust Company, Mrs. W.K.
Noble, Mrs. W.R. Danford, Earl Gaines, L.B. Harper, Mrs. W.J. Hockett,
Samuel D. Jackson, Mrs. R. Earl Peters, Willard Shambaugh, Joseph
Suelzer, Mrs. John Arick, H.M. Arnold, Alpheus Bear, Mrs. Estella
Coulter, Mrs. H.M. Gieseking, Glenn C. Henderson, Carol O. White,
Reverend P.W. Hanshew, Mrs. A.K. Mumma, Mrs. M.E. Regedanz, and
Merle Scott.

Standing, left to right, Sarah Sturgis, Margaret Colerick, Mabel

Vogely, Virginia Carnahan, Breedenstein, Estella Stringer and

Avis Meigs. The woman kneeling has not been identifled.

^Citizens Committee, "Know Your Public Library," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Jun. 9, 1933.

Late in 1934, in the midst of the turmoil of the Depression and the
difficult decisions it spawned, Head Librarian Margaret Colerick died. She
had served the public library in her native city for thirty-six years, but her
roots in Fort Wayne went even deeper. Colerick' s mother, Margaret
Forsythe, had been bom in the old fort. Colerick' s maternal grandparents
had married in Fort Wayne in 1827. During her administration, the public
library had seen many changes, including the establishment of a number of
specialized departments, the extension of service into distant areas of the
city and county, and the beginnings of service to the schools. "Under the
leadership of Miss Margaret Colerick ... the institution gradually assumed
the form of other contemporary municipal public libraries."^' Her obituary
noted that the facility had grown from a staff of three "to its present size
and position of usefulness in the community, and recognized importance
throughout the state and country at large. "'^ Unfortunately, because of the
Depression, Colerick was witness during the last few years of her life to a
steady decline in the efficient library machine she had been a great part in
building. "It was Miss Colerick's great misfortune to see during the last few
years of her administration not only her plans for the future to become
entirely impractical, but to see the thriving institution which she had fostered
and developed curtailed in the direction of the vanishing point. "^'

With a three to two vote, the Board of School Trustees selected Rex
M. Potterf from a field of fifteen applicants to take Colerick's place as Head
Librarian. Potterf, head of Central High School's Social Science Department
since 1929 and a former teacher at the school, agreed to a salary of $3,200
per year for two years. Potterf was a 1910 graduate of Lewis ville High
School in Lewisville, Indiana. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree in history
and a Master of Arts degree in political science from Indiana University,
and a Master of Arts degree in educational administration from Columbia
University. He also had completed most of his work for a Doctor of
Philosophy degree at the time he was hired as Head Librarian. Potterf joined
the staff of Central High School in Fort Wayne in 1924. From 1925 to
1926, he took a leave of absence to work as a library research assistant in
the Indiana University Library and to pursue doctoral work. During the
summers, he taught at Huntington College and Indiana State Normal School
at Terre Haute, and did research. Potterf s lack of librarianship training and
experience was lamented by some. In 1935, "a well-educated high school

^'"Founding and Growth of Library Told."

'^"City Librarian Dies Following Long Illness," Fort Wayne Journal
Gazette, Nov. 1, 1934.

""Founding and Growth of Library Told."

history teacher became chief librarian of the public library,"** one source
noted. Potterf did go on to earn his Master of Library Science degree at the
University of Illinois in 1943.

Upon his appointment, Potterf pledged to focus his attention on
Allen County's youth. "Their reading habits are yet to be formed," Potterf
said. "There is always the promise that they will contribute more to the sum
total of human welfare than their forebears. "^^ Potterf also saw as one of
his goals ensuring that the share of Fort Wayne's income apportioned to the
library find its way into efficient reading service for the public. Toward
these ends, soon after he became Head Librarian in January of 1935, Potterf
conducted a survey to determine the future needs of the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County. Problems the survey identified included:

• A lack of space for storage of books, reading areas, and work
areas. Potterf suggested that additional room could be provided in an annex
west of the main library building. A mezzanine on the second floor for
additional book stacks also would ease crowding.

• Wide salary variations, too few open hours for the main library
and branches, and reduced book purchases. Potterf believed these situations
could be remedied with financial planning.

• Insufficient tax levy, a bare minimum number of staff, and books
in disrepair.

• A lack of funds to remain current with serial subscriptions.
Potterf again stressed financial planning to solve this problem.

• A need for more books in branches.

Naturally, most of the problems identified by Potterf s survey had
to do with the strained finances of the Depression years. One of the most
serious was the need for books - new books on new topics, the next books
in ongoing serial collections, and replacement copies for books already in
the collection. Potterf s successor, Fred Reynolds, remembered that when
it came to funding during the Depression, books usually seemed to be at the
bottom of the ladder. Potterf often approached the Board of School Trustees
to lobby for additional financing, while Margaret Colerick had not,
Reynolds said. He said Colerick generally accepted the funds allotted her by
the Board without asking for additional money.

It was during these lean years that Potterf and Reynolds began
visiting used book stores and purchasing likely volumes to augment the
public library's diminishing collection. Rick Ashton, Director of the Allen

**Rick J. Ashton, "A Commitment to Excellence in Genealogy: How the
Public Library Became the Only Tourist Attraction in Fort Wayne, Indiana,"
Library Trends 32 (Summer 1983): 90.

""Potterf to Head Library," Fort Wayne ATem Sentinel, Dec. 19, 1934.

County Public Library in the early 1980s, credits Potterf and later library
administrators with finding unusual solutions to the problems of their times.
"At least from the time of Rex Potterf, if not before, ACPL set itself apart
from the usual run of public libraries in several ways. One was a willingness
to solve problems in unorthodox ways, if the solutions addressed needs of
the institution which could not otherwise be met. Potterf s experiment with
the purchasing of used books is an example,"^** Ashton said. Potterf and
Reynolds shared a love for books and the open road, according to one
source, and "their adventures were nothing less than a bibliomaniacal
odyssey that enriched the library collection by hundreds of thousands of
books."" One estimate gave the number of books collected in this manner
from 1935 to Potterf s retirement in 1959 as 800,000. "Rex and I were
interested in books," Reynolds said, and "the way to build a book collection
was to go around the country and buy antique books - used books."'* The
two drove Reynolds' Chevy or a station wagon he said looked like a hearse,
and the trips varied in length from a few days to three weeks. During the
first couple of years, they travelled short distances, to Huntington County
and western Ohio. Later they went to St. Louis, Three Rivers Lending
Library in Michigan, Cincinnati, Boston, Philadelphia, and Wichita, Kansas.
Reynolds said some books were purchased for as little as seven cents each
and rebound at Heckman Bindery in North Manchester, Indiana, for forty
cents each. "We had a lot of money for binding in those days,"^ Reynolds
said. The pair also purchased duplicate copies of books already in the
library's collection and used them to trade to other facilities for desired
volumes. "We knew what we wanted, but we didn't [take] a shelf list,'*"'
Reynolds said.

The Survey Controversy

Soon after his appointment, Potterf took action toward bringing the
services of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County back to pre-
Depression levels. These book-buying sprees to refill the shelves were one
method. Another was a reorganization of the library's structure and staff

'^Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

"Curt Miller, "The Fountain of Knowledge," Business People
(December 1990): 7.

'%id.

''Dawne Slater-Putt interview with Fred J. Reynolds, 1993.

^Ibid.

salaries that proved extremely controversial. Potterf "maintained both a
unique personal approach to his work and a healthy disrespect for
conventional wisdom. He solved problems with whatever means were
available,"*' one source noted. Library staff members were divided in their
opinions of Potterf s actions, as were Fort Wayne and Allen County
citizens. Heated letters to the editors of the local newspapers were frequent
during this period. "In his prime. Rex Potterf was quite a redoubtable
character. Coming from the public school environment of the 1930s, in
which the will of the principal was law, he brooked no opposition to his
wishes," said Rick Ashton, later Library Director, of Potterf s actions.
"Apparently he met great resistance to any of his initiatives. This resistance
was led by some senior staff members who had a more genteel notion of the
library and its ways.""*^

In about 1937, the Citizen's Library Committee, led by Dr. Jessie
C. Calvin and Mrs. J.E. Moring, filed a number of grievances against
Potterf with the library's Board of Trustees and asked that a survey by an
expert be made of the governance of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County. One of the Committee's main complaints against Potterf was
his consolidation of library departments. The committee claimed that Potterf
had abolished all departments except the Children's Department and the
Circulation Department and placed their management in the hands of the
former Reference Department's second assistant.

Under Potterf s administration "various reductions [were] made in
personnel in order to live within the lessened revenues.""*^ The staff was
stretched too thin, the Citizen's Library Committee thought. While
American Library Association (ALA) standards suggested that libraries
should have one assistant for every 20,000 volumes circulated, the local
library had one assistant for every 28,000 volumes circulated. Although
Potterf was not professionally trained as a librarian himself - and this was
another complaint of the Citizen's Library Committee - he based salary
levels and staff reductions on experience and training. The dismissals that
occurred were often among those library employees who had the least
amount of experience and training.

The ALA standard for salaries at the time was fifty-five percent of
a particular library's income. In Fort Wayne, salaries were forty-six percent
of the library's income in the mid-1930s, then were cut ten percent more,
then fifteen percent more. According to the ALA, during Potterf s

'*' Ashton, "A Commitment to Excellence in Genealogy," 90.
'*^ Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.
'*^ "Potterf Traces Growth of Library System in City."

♦
administration, Fort Wayne librarians' salaries were cut more than any other
librarians' salaries in the state. Potterf admitted in 1935 that salaries were
not high at the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County as compared
to the salaries of librarians at other facilities. The Citizen's Library
Committee claimed that the adjustment of salaries was demoralizing to the
staff. One employee had her salary changed five times in fourteen months.

In addition to low salaries, Fort Wayne and Allen County librarians
had the longest working hours of any city of commensurate size in the state,
according to the Citizen's Library Committee, and the shortest vacations.
They worked forty-two to forty-eight hours per week and received twelve
days of vacation.

The Committee noted that since the librarians were not unionized,
they had no recourse against Potterf s actions. Staff members did not feel
that they could trust the Head Librarian, the Committee claimed, because of
dismissals and salary cuts. A loss of twenty staff to dismissals and
resignations was indicative of uneasiness, unrest, and unfair treatment. The
Committee requested of the library's Board of Trustees that the library
departments be reinstated; the former salaries be returned to the department
heads; and that the American Library Association be asked to make an
investigation of the local library and report its findings before Potterf was
reemployed for another year.

Potterf was given equal treatment in Fort Wayne's newspapers to
respond to the charges of the Citizen's Library Committee. He
acknowledged that he was not a trained librarian, but noted that he had
worked as a research assistant at the Indiana University Library in
Bloomington. He said that when he consulted the head of the Wisconsin
library school about taking library courses, that individual reviewed Potterf s
background and instead advised him to study independently by visiting and
observing public libraries in the Midwest.

Potterf said of his departmental reorganization that "changes were
made to cause the organization to function more smoothly, to eliminate
duplication of functions and to do justice to all employees."^ The salaries
of department heads prior to the reorganization were much greater than
those of the first assistants, yet the first assistants did the same work as the
department heads, Potterf said. He defended his choice of the "Reference
Department's second assistant" as the newly-appointed head of the Adult
Department because she was one of the few staff members with a year of
approved library training, and she had a record of efficiency.

Potterf said he had no objection to the ratio of one assistant for each
20,000 volumes circulated, but that it would mean the staff would number

"^"Librarian Potterf Answers Each Charge Presented by Committee,"
unidentified newspaper, circa 1938.

Rex M. Potterf was Head Librarian from 1935
through 1959.

forty-two instead of
the twenty-eight to
twenty-nine then
employed and that he
did not know from
where the money for
their salaries would
come. He said that
staff work hours had
been reduced from
forty-three and a half
hours per week to
forty-two hours per
week, with the
exception of janitors
and pages, who
worked forty-eight
hours per week. And although he said he preferred that staff members
receive four paid weeks of vacation, he pointed out that the Board of
Trustees, not the Head Librarian, defined the amount of vacation taken by
staff.

The Head Librarian had various explanations for reductions in
salaries and dismissals. In two cases, salaries were reduced because of the
elimination of a differential for supervision; in another, the employee was
aged; another was based on the judgment that an employee was worth only
$100 per month instead of the $120 per month she was being paid. Two
women's salaries were adjusted "on a substitute basis for married women."
Potterf said the person whose salary changed fourteen times in five months
was being shifted between jobs because she no longer was needed in her
original position. He noted that seven employees actually received pay
increases.

Potterf said that turnover had been twenty-four percent since his
arrival. Seven people had been dismissed, five because they were no longer
needed, and two who were janitors aged seventy-seven and sixty-nine. Four
people had resigned because of drastic salary cuts, three because of
marriage, and one because of ill health. Potterf expressed his frustration and
his viewpoint that personal friction and feuds had made it difficult to elicit
cooperation between departments. He said eleven to thirteen agitators on the
staff had opposed his appointment and had given him no moral support. He
called their actions "insubordination, seething disloyalty and often times
open opposition."*^

%id.

♦

Numerous letters to the editor and editorials appeared in the local
newspapers regarding the survey requested by the Citizen's Library
Committee. Finally, the Board of Trustees commissioned Carl Vitz, Public
Librarian from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to make a survey of the Fort
Wayne Public Library to determine whether it was functioning properly. At
the news of Vitz' s employment, the survey controversy in the newspaper
grew nasty. A News Sentinel editorial indirectly accused Vitz of conspiring
with "Librarian Rex Potterf s enemies" before coming to town. Citizens who
wrote letters to the editor were against spending taxpayers' money for the
survey, and were incensed that a stranger was coming to their town to
survey their library. Vitz tried to reassure the public - to no avail - that such
surveys were conducted every ten years by other libraries throughout the
country.

"It would be interesting to know just what the plot is," one resident
wrote in a letter to the editor.

"The idea of a 'survey' to justify or condemn ... is just a veil to
cover some other motive. The real purpose of a survey is to execute
someone," was another's opinion.

At least one letter-writer took the News Sentinel to task for its
editorials against the survey: "I have been a constant reader of the editorial
page of the News, the Sentinel and The News-Sentinel for the past twenty
years. Never before have I seen what I consider such uncalled for, unjust
and unwarranted partisanship displayed in your paper, nor such biased
interference in the work of a public board. It leads one to wonder what The
News-Sentinel is getting out of it." The newspaper added an editor's note:
"The score is now 521 to l."**^

Indeed, most of the citizens of the county seemed to support Potterf
and his actions to reorganize the library and counteract the effects of the
Depression, at least as reflected by their viewpoints expressed in the local
newspapers. However, what did the general population know about
librarians' salaries, the frustrations of a staff of public servants stretched too
thin, and the drop in morale when librarians were demoted below the level
of other employees they formerly had supervised? Probably very little. In
the end, the survey was inconclusive. Rex Potterf remained Head Librarian
of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County until his retirement
in 1959, and the survey controversy faded into history. Potterf s efforts
during the Depression "permitted the restoration of numberous [sic] services
which had been eliminated or restricted. "^^ However, he retains the

'^^"Defends School Board," Fort Wayne News Sentinel letter to the
editor, circa 1938.

'•^"Founding and Growth of Library Told."

reputation of having been somewhat of a dictator, pursuing what he thought
was best for the institution with the attitude of "the end justifies the means."

The Recovery

Some of the earliest signs that the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County was on the road to recovery from the Depression were the
reopening of several county branches and the restoration of county service
to about two-thirds of its former full schedule of the pre-Depression years.
In April 1935, the Board of Trustees authorized Rex Potterf to begin
working on a program to gradually reopen the branches. In the fall of that
year, branches that had been open only two days per week since 1933 began
to return to their former six-day schedules. Library officials hoped that a
further extension of services would be possible in 1936, in anticipation of
an increased budget for the 1935-36 fiscal year. The actual increase was
from $95,000 to $102,000.

From 1936 to 1941, the library's budget gradually increased and it
became easier to meet the need to repair and rebind books. Over time, the
library's buildings were repaired and redecorated. The Works Progress
Administration (WPA) was a force behind keeping the main library and its
branches in good repair and looking fresh during a time when the money
was not available for costly refurbishments. In January 1936, the Board of
Trustees authorized Potterf to apply for WPA labor to redecorate and make
repairs to the main library and branches with materials to be furnished by
the library. When it was financially possible, the library's own maintenance
staff took over the repair of the facilities from the WPA workers. Two large
bookmobiles were built for the library system also with WPA labor.

In 1936, the library's budget expenditures increased $7,000 over
1935. In 1937, the budget increased by $13,777. The city budget that year
included increases in staff salaries, repairs at city branches, additional
supplies, books, and equipment, and money to absorb into the library's
work flow the labor at that time being performed by the WPA.

The 1940s, 1950s and 1960s

During World War II, the greatest change among branches and
departments of the local library was seen in the Business and Technical
Department. Its use expanded rapidly during the war years because of the
demands of war workers who needed technical information to perform their
jobs. In addition, technology itself was increasing exponentially and new
materials constantly were being published on subjects previously not seen
on the shelves of the public library. In 1948, with an income of $390,085.75
and expenditures of $347,975.77, the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County established a new subject area - the Record Room. This
innovation meant that patrons could borrow phonograph records, as well as

«
listen to them in listening booths at the library.

Kenneth Lauer's memory of the facilities of the main library in the
early 1950s was of a "gloomy, leaky, inacx^essible monstrosity" that was the
main library building; a series of brick houses facing Washington
Boulevard, where items less in demand were stored; and specifically named
among these annexes the Hollywood building on Washington near
Broadway, which housed Rex Potterf s office, some Business and Technical
Department staff, and "the world's slowest elevator/"** Some fifty years
after construction of the state-of-the-art Carnegie building, library officials
were beginning to consider an addition or construction of an entirely new
main library building. During that time period, the main library was open
305 days a year; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Expenditures for the library system had nearly doubled to
$600,534.22 in less than a decade. Finances were a concern during the
1950s. Citing inadequate fimds as a reason, a 1953 memo to local schools
announced the gradual withdrawal of the library from servicing schools with
deposit collections of books, or what were known as "school collections."
[See Outreach Services, Extension & County Departments.] Larger
enrollments in the schools and an increased emphasis on reading had caused
the library's school collections to become worn, and there was not money
in the budget for rebinding these volumes. Schools were urged to take action
in accordance with this decision during the 1954-55 school year. Although
no new books were purchased, service to schools continued with existing
books for many years.

In 1956, public use of the library system had increased at nearly
every point of contact. Increased funding allowed building repairs and
reftirbishments, significant additions to the book collection, and the purchase
of new equipment and vehicles for the library's fleet. The 1956 annual
report recommended further improvements in sites and services: provision
of adequate service to adults living in outlying areas of Fort Wayne; an
increase in service to children during the summer; the purchase of two
additional annex buildings on Washington Boulevard; the establishment of
a building fiind; further emphasis on the library's pamphlet publishing
program; and increased salaries for staff.

Late in the decade, a major reorganization was initiated to buy time
for the ever-more-crowded main library building. The facilities of the
Children's Room and Record Room were moved into a building contiguous
with the Carnegie building. At the same time, the Business and Technical
Department was moved from the second floor to the first floor area formerly

"^Kenneth Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence for Ken Lauer,'
Bookends, April 1993.

The Record Room and Children's Room were moved into Annex
No. 1 in 1958.

occupied by the Children's Room. This second move had the additional
advantage of allowing easier access to the Business and Technical
Department by elderly patrons. By this time, many library functions were
housed in the annex buildings along Washington Boulevard, including
cataloging, Order Department work, the school service, overdue service,
building operations, and the press room. The annexes also provided storage
for little-used but valuable books, janitor supplies, publications, and school
deposit collections.

Late in 1959, Rex Potterf announced his resignation as Head
Librarian, to be effective December 31, 1959. All three of his immediate
successors noted that Potterf had a difficult personality, yet gave him credit
for guiding the library through the second half of the Depression. Fred
Reynolds, who was Potterf s assistant in 1959 and Head Librarian during the
1960s and 1970s, provided the understatement in 1993 that Potterf did not
always get along well with his staff and occasionally experienced friction
with the library board. Potterf became an effective librarian despite his
controversial start, Reynolds said, and he and Potterf "got along fine. "*'
Reynolds' successor, Robert H. Vegeler, was hired by Potterf, his former
high school teacher, to the position of page in the 1930s. He became
Library Director following Reynolds' retirement in 1979. Vegeler
remembered Potterf as a "well educated but rather a stem man." He gave
Potterf credit for keeping the library viable during the Depression years.
Money was scarce, Vegeler said, but Potterf still was able to steer the

*^awne Slater-Putt interview with Fred Reynolds, 1993.

institution forward. Rick J. Ashton, Vegeler's successor as Library Director,
had this comment about Potterf s tenure as Head Librarian: "For all his
imperiousness of manner and temperament, it is clear that Potterf was a real
populist when it came to library service. He wanted the library to be well-
used by as many people as possible. He wanted to reach children and
teenagers. He wanted to establish effective service in rural Allen County

Upon Potterf s resignation, the Board of Trustees appointed Fred J.
Reynolds as Head Librarian. Reynolds had been Assistant Head Librarian
since May 1959. A Fort Wayne native, Reynolds had joined the library staff
at the age of nineteen in 1930. His previous work experience included
cutting and selling wood with a cousin, and a four-month stint at General
Electric. Reynolds said the library "was a place to find a job in those days."
He began his tenure with the library as the operator of the system's first
book wagon and also worked at the main desk in the evenings and shelved
books. He was manager of the Extension Department for a time before
becoming Assistant Head Librarian. By the time he became Head Librarian,
Reynolds had earned a Bachelor's degree in history from Indiana University
and his Master of Library Science degree from Western Reserve University.

Reynolds' first priority upon taking charge of the public library was
building the book collection, he noted in a 1993 interview. He achieved this
through borrowing and copying books owned by other institutions, as well
as through the traditional method of purchasing newly published books. One
department that greatly benefitted from photocopying projects initiated
during Reynolds' tenure was the Genealogy Collection, formed in 1961 and
later named the Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department in his
honor. Library hours during the early 1960s remained 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. During the summer,
the library closed at noon on Saturday. The Young Adults' Room and
Record Room had different schedules.

An epoch was reached in 1963, when the Indiana General Assembly
passed a bill which permitted the local library to convert to a Class I
Library status under 1947 law. While the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County formerly had been governed by the Board of School Trustees,
the new status allowed the appointment of a Board of Trustees solely for the
library. Under this provision, the mayor of Fort Wayne was to appoint two
members to the Board, and the Board of School Trustees appointed five
additional members. One advantage of the formation of an independent
library Board, was that it had a bonding capacity of one percent of the
assessed valuation of taxable property within the Fort Wayne corporate city
limits, a provision that would be very important when library officials began

^Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

seriously considering the construction of a new building. Head Librarian
Fred Reynolds later remembered that with the change in status, it was
pleasant that the library system no longer had to compete with local schools
for money.

As early as 1963, expenditures for the system topped $1 million.
The library continued to grow in resources and use throughout the early
1960s. In 1965, an important annual addition to the book collection was
initiated when Reynolds reached an agreement with representatives of the
R.L. Polk & Co. Directory Company to become a depository collection for
the company's city directories. Through this agreement, each year the
library would receive a copy of all directories published by Polk the
previous year. Cost to the library for this addition of 1,000 to 1,500
directories per year was only the freight to ship the volumes from Detroit
to Fort Wayne. No other library except the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C., would have as complete a collection of Polk directories.
In 1965, book loans reached a plateau for the first time in decades.
Reynolds said in the library's annual report that he believed a low
unemployment rate and the Vietnam War were partially responsible for
citizens' lack of leisure time to read. Use of the library as a reference center
and for research by high school and college students continued to increase,
even as book loans did not. By 1967, the local library system had more than
one million books, and book loans had increased to more than two million
volumes per year.

Although the 1960s were not particularly lean years, the library did
experience some financial belt-tightening during this period. In 1969, library
officials again considered withdrawing book services to elementary schools
in the Fort Wayne Community Schools system because of limited financial
resources, unless the current tax rate was raised. The same year, the library
administration declined to participate in a suit against numerous publishing
companies for price-fixing. In times of tight resources, Fred Reynolds said,
"you paid a racketeer price, found a bootleg source, or did without books."
He said the test of whether or not to purchase from a book bootlegger was
"did it benefit our Library and our people?" He said in many cases, buying
from bootleggers did benefit the library. Later, reflecting on the rich book
collection of the local library, Reynolds attributed it to three factors: an
adequate book budget over an extended length of time; a selection of quality
of titles to be purchased; and an adequate budget for binding and rebinding.

The New Building

The main library building fiinded by Andrew Carnegie in 1904
already was becoming crowded in the 1910s and early 1920s. In August
1922, the library closed for two weeks for repairs and expansion of
shelving. This was in addition to the more than four hundred feet of
shelving that had been added to the stack room in September 1910.

»
Congestion at the main library was the worst in its history in 1938. In
January, the Board of School Trustees tentatively approved a plan to
improve branch libraries to take some pressure off of the crowded main
library. This was viewed as a temporary alternative to construction of an
addition to the main library or to acquiring additional real estate downtown.
The question of the time was whether to enlarge the main library at
considerable expense, or to build up the branches with additional materials
and personnel at a fraction of the cost of a construction project. "It is hoped
that patronage of the branches will be greatly increased . . . this would result
in relieving over-crowded conditions at the main library and making an
expansion project unnecessary for the present."^' In April, the Board
discussed a plan for constructing a balcony or mezzanine in the main library
that would use the space above the book stacks at the rear of the main floor
and provide space for 37,000 volumes. The estimated cost for the project
was $11 ,600, but it was hoped that the measure would temporarily eliminate
the need for an addition. The State Tax Board said it would approve the
balcony if no objection was voiced locally. Apparently none was, since the
balcony was mentioned in a 1961 guidebook to the main library.

As early as 1944, the library system gradually began acquiring
buildings along Washington Boulevard. Before services were consolidated
in the new main library building in 1968, the system owned some twelve of
these "annexes," all used to house library services or to store materials and
equipment. In 1947, the services of acquisitions, processing, cataloging,
registrations, overdues, city and county extension work, service to schools,
printing and binding functions, photo-filming, picture mounting, and cabinet
making were moved into a three-story stucco building at 624 West
Washington Boulevard, four blocks from the main library. The building also
housed reserve books and maintenance supplies. In 1950, two residences on
Washington Boulevard housed little-used adult books, janitorial supplies, and
building materials. As of 1951, the main library consisted of the Carnegie
building and several annex buildings along Washington Boulevard.

In 1956, a twelve-room building on Webster Street, across an alley
from the main library building, was purchased for $35,000. This facility was
remodeled and in 1958, the Children's Room and the Record Room were
moved into the building. However, the construction of a new main library
or an addition to the Carnegie building was inevitable, and Head Librarian
Rex Potterf recommended in the library's 1956 annual report that the facility
begin a building fiind. He said the Board of School Trustees had indicated
its willingness to approve the levy of an improvement tax beginning in
1957, which would create a construction fund. Potterf also recommended in

^'"Branches of Library to Be Improved," Fort Wayne News Sentinel,
Jan. 17, 1938.

the meantime that the library purchase two more buildings on Washington
Boulevard to relieve crowding then, and to provide property for construction
in the future.

During the 1950s and 1960s, some creative solutions were found to
alleviate the increasingly crowded conditions. For example, the library
gained some space about 1953 when it acquired microfilming equipment and
filmed twenty million pages of public documents. The resulting microfilm
could be stored in a much smaller space than the printed documents. In a
situation that benefitted everyone concerned, the local library in 1957
donated 25,000 books to libraries in eastern Kentucky that had suffered
heavy flood damage. Rex Potterf said at the time, "In an old Carnegie main
Library such as this, it is usually necessary to displace a volume for each
new one acquired. We can no longer sell these for wastepaper because of
the current low price of wastepaper. Instead, we bum them. Our shelves are
crowded and we must continually weed them to make places for newer and
more useful books. "^^ In 1958, when the main library building was
converted to oil for heat, the former coal bin became a microfilm room
where patrons could view back issues of newspapers. Magazines awaiting
binding also were stored there.

The "piecemeal renovation" and "stop-gap measures" were deplored
in a May 1962 WO WO Radio editorial titled "Time to Move Ahead on a
New Library." Most of the system's 80,000 registered borrowers had
"threaded their way through narrow aisles, sat in the overcrowded reading
rooms, looked for a book in the shelves that line the stairways, or waited
several minutes while a runner looked for their book in one of the twelve
old houses now used to store books, "^^ the editorial said. At that time, fifty
percent of the circulating books were stored outside of the main library
building. WOWO mentioned the bill in the legislature that called for
reclassification of the library, and urged the members of the Board of
School Trustees to resign and appoint five people to serve as a separate
Board of Trustees for the library, along with two others appointed by the
Mayor of Fort Wayne. This separate board could then initiate a bond issue
for a main library construction project. The bill that changed the library to
Class I status was passed in 1963. By then, books and other library
materials were stored in fourteen separate downtown buildings.

"During the past ten years the faster pace of world affairs, business,
technology and cultural writing, with the resultant flood of books from
publishers, has brought to our Library a problem of containment. No place

^^"25,000 Books Arrive to Restock Flooded Libraries," Louisville
Courier Journal, January 1957.

^^WOWO Editorial, May 3-4, 1962.

•
to put the books . . . Books are of no value if not readily available . . . The
answer is, of course, more space - a building to contain all of our
books,"** said an advertisement in the Journal Gazette sponsored by May
Stone & Sand, Inc., in March 1963.

After the library's conversion to Class 1 status, the new Board of
Trustees moved quickly toward a construction project. The firm Library
Building Consultants, Inc., of Evanston, Illinois, was commissioned for
$14,000 to study the library system and to make space, equipment, and
traffic flow recommendations for the architects. The consultants were
librarians from cities which had recently constructed new library buildings.
In December, Bradley & Bradley, a local architecture firm, was hired to
design the main library. Bradley & Bradley also designed a library building
for Kendallville, a remodeling project for the Decatur library, and an
addition to the Bluffton library at about the same time. The Bradley &
Bradley firm was instructed to consider the design of existing buildings in
the area, especially First Presbyterian Church and Trinity English Lutheran
Church, in designing the library, and to cooperate with design plans for
future downtown redevelopment. Downtown Fort Wayne was booming with
construction projects during the 1960s, including Three Rivers Apartments,
the Fine Arts Center, the City-County Building, reconstruction of the 1815
fort, Fort Wayne National Bank, People's Bank at the former Wolf and
Dessauer location, and the Sheraton-Fort Wayne Motor Hotel (now Holiday
Inn).

Both WANE-TV and WOWO Radio aired editorials praising the
Library Board of Trustees' prompt action toward a new building. "The 1904
building meant to serve a population of 40,000, people now serves more
than 230,000 Fort Wayne and Allen County residents, "^^ the WOWO
editorial pointed out. Another WOWO editorial said that the new building
would have about six times the space of the Carnegie facility and predicted
that it would meet the library needs of Allen County residents for the
following thirty to forty years. This was a very generous, if perhaps a naive
statement.

Library Building Consultants, Inc., presented a very detailed ninety-
one-page description of needs for the new main library building in 1964.
The four-floor, $3 million building was to contain about 152,000 square feet
of space and storage for one and a half million books. About 220,000 books
would be on public-access shelves, with another 780,000 in storage areas.
The report suggested a system of pneumatic tubes to carry book requests

^Advertisement placed "as a service to the people of Allen County" by
May Stone & Sand Co., Fort Wayne Journal Gazette y Mar. 5, 1963.

^^WOWO Editorial, Sep. 17-18, 1963.

from the circulation desk to the basement and subbasement storage areas,
and electric dumbwaiters to deliver the books back to the main and second
floors. Later the pneumatic tube system idea was discarded. Amenities
suggested for the new building included air conditioning, a drive-up window
for book drop-off, carpeted smoking areas, a public typing room, a
storyhour room for children, a 1 ,7(X)-square-foot auditorium, a staff lunch
room, and elevators. The main floor would contain a lobby, the card
catalog, check-out stations, the Business and Technical Department, the
Children's Room, a general services department, and a shipping area. On
the second floor would be the Indiana History and Genealogy Room, the Art
and Music Department, an auditorium, two conference rooms,
administrative offices, the Department of Technical Processes, staff
facilities, and a supply room. The basement and subbasement would contain
book storage, work rooms, and custodial quarters. The report urged that the
building be designed with the idea of future expansion, preferably by the
addition of a third floor.

Another recommendation by Library Building Consultants, Inc. , was
that the old Carnegie building be razed to make room for the new building,
although the firm acknowledged that public sentiment may be against this
action. Perhaps, the company suggested, the Carnegie could be saved and
used as a museum. When word got out that the Carnegie was slated for
destruction, the Naomi Study Club penned a letter to the Board of Trustees,
asking that the building be retained. In addition, the Northeast Civic
Association unanimously passed a resolution opposing the razing of the
Carnegie building. "In our opinion, the tearing down of this beautiful
building would be a reckless and wanton destruction of public property and
the needles wrecking of one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in
the city of Fort Wayne, and, in our opinion, wholly unnecessary."^
However when inspected, it was found that the Carnegie building was not
in good physical shape, Fred Reynolds, Head Librarian at the time, later
said. Construction of the Carnegie had been poor, he said, and the concrete
was in bad condition. The decision was made to raze the building.

During the demolition. Board Member Allan J. Tremper described
in his journal the view and condition of the old Carnegie library building:
"The former library building resembles so many of the bombed sites we saw
in England as demolition begins ... Fred told me that samples of the
concrete taken from the building in the course of wrecking indicates that it
was of poor quality, so had we retained the building instead of deciding on
a new one, chances are that maintenance costs would have been high
henceforth, with possibly an element of danger to patrons, even though the

^^"Group Against Demolition of City Library," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel Apr. 20, 1965.

outer walls were of limestone. "^

In August 1964, the Board of Trustees learned that the library had
received the approval of the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners, and
a Triple-A rating, for a $2.9 million bond issue toward financing the new
main library building. The bonds were sold, and in December 1964 the
Board of Trustees approved the preliminary plans for the building, which
contained an atrium with reflecting pools and fountains. Plans, sketches, and
a model of the library were unveiled at a press conference that month.

Since the Carnegie building occupied part of the property that the
new main library facility would cover, construction of the new building
initially was slated to occur in two phases. First, the south part of the new
building would be constructed, then public service agencies would move into
that section while the Carnegie was razed and the north portion of the new
building was constructed. Later it was decided to move all sta^and services
off-site and to construct the new building all at once at less expense. Savings
could be realized by not constructing a four-story temporary wall that would
have been necessary between wings if one were being habited while the
other was under construction, and by bringing a crane to Fort Wayne from
Indianapolis only once
at a cost of $5,000 to
$10,000, instead of
twice . It was
necessary for nine of
the library's annexes
to be razed to make
room for the new
building. A contract
for this service was
finalized in January
1965, and the
materials were moved
from the annexes to
the Community
Schools Service
Center.

The doors to
the 1904 Carnegie
library building closed ^^ p^^^^^ ^^.,^^g ^^ Jefferson Boulevard and

Au s*t 23 19^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ***^ temporary home for main

^,T ,., ' library services during construction of the
Main library services . . .,j«

^ current building.

^ Allan J. Tremper diary entry, Sep. 26, 1965.

reopened September 6 in temporary quarters in the Purdue building at 220
East Jefferson Boulevard. The building, which had been at one time the
Catholic Community Center, was owned in 1965 by the Ross-Ade
Foundation, and rent was $2,000 per month. Originally, a two-year lease
was signed, although library services remained in the building through mid-
1968. Robert Vegeler, later Head Librarian, was in charge of the move to
the temporary quarters, and later to the newly-constructed main library, both
of which were accomplished with library personnel and vehicles. The
entrance to the Purdue building was on Jefferson Boulevard. The circulation
desk was located in the hallway outside the building's ballroom. Major
service departments - Adult Circulation, Reference, Business and
Technology, and the Young Adults' Room - were on the first floor in the
ballroom and gymnasium. The Genealogy Department, Indiana Collection,
and bound periodicals, were on the second floor. Bound periodicals also
were stored in the building's basement. Vegeler planned the space for the
temporary library, which he found a "most interesting and challenging
operation."^* He said he called in a civil engineer to ensure the weight
bearing abilities of certain areas. Fred Reynolds later remembered that the
library's time in the Purdue building "worked out well."^

A temporary scattering of library facilities occurred during
construction, and the heart of the public service function of the system was
cramped into the Purdue Center building, but no services were curtailed
during this period. In fact, the use of the main library as a research and
information center continued to increase during 1967, although total book
circulation dropped about two percent. This drop was attributed to a general
national trend.

In August 1965, L.I. Griffin received the contract to raze the
Carnegie building. Demolition began on September 16 and was completed
in October. In December, ground was broken for the new main library.
C.A. Lehman & Sons was the general contractor. From the beginning of the
construction project, parking for staff and patrons was a concern of library
officials. In April 1967, the Board of Trustees authorized its attorney to
obtain suitable property for off-street parking for patrons. In some cases,
this meant direct purchase of sub-leasing of property; in others, it meant
gaining property through pleading eminent domain in the public interest and
pursuing condemnation proceedings.

In early 1968, library staff began making preparations for the move
from the Purdue building and remaining library annexes into the new main
library building. In April, storage books in library annexes were no longer

^^Robert H. Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.
^Dawne Slater-Putt interview with Fred Reynolds, 1993.

available to the public because they were being boxed for the anticipated
move. Old Crown and Falstaff Brewing Corporations donated some 9,000
cardboard beer cases to the library to use for packing and transporting the
book collection. This prompted some puns from the local media regarding
the contents of the boxes - beer or books? It was estimated that each carton
would be used about twenty times, and that the donations of the beer cases
saved the library about $1 ,000.

Library services closed in the Purdue building, as well as the
Record Room and Children's Room at 220 East Jefferson Boulevard, at 6
p.m. May 11, with a scheduled reopening date in the new main library in

The precast concrete panels of the current library building were
lifted into place with a crane, 1967.

June. Branch libraries and bookmobiles adhered to their regular schedules
during the main library's down time. On May 21, the new main library
building at 900 Webster Street was dedicated. Remarks were given by
architect Carl Bradley, Head Librarian Fred Reynolds, Fort Wayne Mayor
Harold Zeis, Board of Trustees President Charles Slater, and Librarian
Emeritus Rex M. Potterf. The program included a concert by the American
Legion Post 47 Band, and the presentation of a flag flown over the Capitol
in Washington, D.C., by Post 47.

The building was scheduled to open to the public June 3, but a
strike by trade-craftsmen, including carpenters, bricklayers, ironworkers,
sheetmetal men, and plumbers, delayed the opening until June 17. Total cost
of facility was $4,120,000, or $23 per square foot. It included seating space

for six hundred patrons, meeting areas, reflecting pools with colored
fountains, busts of famous authors, exhibit cases in the lobby area, and
second-floor lounge areas where smoking was permitted.

By February 1969, the main library was experiencing a gratifying
increase in business, and a WOWO "Focal Point" program in June 1969
included interviews of five library employees one year after the opening of
the new main library building. By that time, patronage had increased 250
percent and the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County was the
twenty-third largest public library in the nation.

With the consolidation of main library functions in the new
building, the scattered annexes that once were crucial, no longer were
needed. In October 1970, the Board of Trustees authorized the demolition
of the Bishop House at 625 West Wayne Street, a building which once
housed the library's carpenter shop, art workshop, and some book storage
facilities. Since it had been vacated in 1968, it had "become a neighborhood
nuisance because bums and pigeons had taken over,"**' according to
Reynolds. In 1974, the library planned to trade an annex building at 624
West Washington Boulevard to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Historical
Society for old Fire Station No. 3, however Mayor Ivan Lebamoff canceled
the trade, saying the Historical Society was unable to handle the acquisition
financially. Library officials had planned to raze the fire station and use the
property for a parking lot. Thanks to Mayor Lebamoffs decision, however,
historic Fire Station No. 3 still stands across Webster Street from the main
library. It houses a museum of Fort Wayne fire-fighting history on its first
floor, and the Old #3 Fire House Cafe on the second floor. Later in 1974,
the library sold the annex at 624 West Washington Boulevard to Poagston
Arms, Inc., for $110,000.

The 1970s

One of the issues facing library administrators in the late 1960s and
early 1970s was an increased incidence of theft of library materials. In
1969, it was estimated that the library was losing about fifty books per week
when patrons failed to return them, either by accident or by design. In
response. Head Librarian Fred Reynolds instituted his "Get Tough" policy,
which included prosecution of offenders who ignored the library's letters,
telephone calls, and personal visits regarding overdue materials. Late in the
year the Board of Trustees indicated that it would ask the Allen County
prosecutor for assistance in recovering a particular 2,000 volumes that were
valued at about $10,000. Indiana law established in 1961 provided that if a

•""Library Board To Raze 'Bishop House,' Up Fees," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, Oct. 27, 1970.

borrower failed to either return books to the library within thirty days, or
to reimburse the library for the value of the unretumed books, that person
was guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction could be fined $50 and/or
imprisoned for ten days. In November of 1969, one local citizen was fined
$50 and ordered to pay $24 in court costs when he failed to return his
library books.

In June 1970, Reynolds stepped up his "Get Tough" policy by
instituting a fifteen-cent charge to patrons for each overdues notice sent to
them. By mid-June, the number of overdues notices sent out from the library
had increased from an average of
2,000 per month to 3,000 during
one two- week period. A first
delinquent notice was sent to a
patron on the seventh day the
library material was overdue, and
a second on the fourteenth day. On
the twenty-fifth day the material
was overdue, the patron was sent a
personal letter. If this failed to
bring a response, telephone calls
were made to the patron's home,
followed by a visit to the home by
a library employee in an attempt to
recover the overdue material.
Misuse of library materials also
was a problem during this time. In

October 1970, the Board of Trustees raised the charge for lost library book
cards, date due cards, borrowers' cards, and damaged book pockets from
five to ten cents.

In April 1972, the library hired Trans- America Collection, Inc., of
Bloomington, Illinois, to retrieve materials that had not been returned to the
facility. The company charged $3.84 per return. Library officials believed
the service performed by the collection agency was worth the cost, since the
average book that had been retrieved via staff efforts in 1971 had been
worth $5.81. Although the library had collected $15,000 in fines in 1971,
replacing books that had not been returned would have cost $50,000. In
1976, the library began using small claims court to collect large fines on
overdue books, or to recover the cost of books never returned.

In 1972, with a combined city-county budget of $2,472,260, the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County had a collection of nearly
two million volumes. Excepting university book depositories, the library was
ranked twenty-fifth in size nationally. A Muncie Star column in May 1973
noted that the library in Fort Wayne was larger than the Indianapolis Public
Library and the Indiana State Library combined. The booming business at

Head Librarian Fred Reynolds.

the main library prompted the Board of Trustees in 1971 to authorize a bid
on property adjacent to the building for additional parking. Growing budgets
throughout the decade of the 1970s helped to finance staff salary increases,
the addition of a few staff positions, higher electricity and fiiel costs because
of the establishment of new branches, and the purchase of increasingly
expensive books and other library materials:

In 1971, the combined city-county budget totaled $1,358,420.

" 1972, " " $2,472,260.

" 1976, " " $2,970,935.

" 1977, " proposed city-county " " $3,068,855.

" 1979, " combined city-county budget totaled $3,407,090.

With the end of the decade of the 1970s, came the retirement of
Head Librarian Fred J. Reynolds, who had guided the facility and its
satellites for nearly twenty years. As early as 1976, the Board of Trustees
knew Reynolds' retirement was imminent. In June of that year, the Board
decided that, rather than advertise the position of Head Librarian, it would
invite particular librarians from across the United States to apply. How
seriously the Board considered candidates from elsewhere is unknown.
However, what is known is that Reynolds already had his successor chosen
by the mid-1970s. This method of a Head Librarian "grooming" someone
within the library system to be his successor began with Rex Potterf upon
his retirement in 1959, and continued to a certain degree through the hiring
of Rick J. Ashton in 1980.

"With his long tenure and high degree of responsibility in the
library for a very long time, it was a foregone conclusion that Fred
Reynolds would become the Head Librarian after the retirement of Rex
Potterf,"''' Ashton later commented. In the same way, Reynolds had as his
protege his Assistant Head Librarian, Robert Harry Vegeler. "When I'm
gone, I would certainly recommend that this board or the members of the
board at that time hire assistant Bob Vegeler as head librarian if he wants
the position,"**^ Reynolds said at a Board meeting in May 1969, ten years
before his retirement. Reynolds also had a contingency plan should this
scenario not be feasible when the time came. He noted at the same Board
meeting that he felt better "knowing there's someone in the wings,"*"

*" Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

^^"Library Board Approves Hiring Administrative Aide," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, May 27, 1969.

«Ibid.

referring to newly-hired administrative assistant Kenneth Lauer, who later
became manager of a succession of branches and acted in other capacities
for the Allen County Public Library.

In November 1977, Robert Vegeler's title was changed to Associate
Head Librarian, and it was officially announced that he would succeed
Reynolds as Head Librarian. At the same time, Ashton was named Assistant
Librarian. Reynolds commented at the time that he wanted the tvi^o men to
have at least a year at their new posts in order to ease the transition of
power upon his retirement. At the end of December 1978, Reynolds stepped
down. This man, who has been credited with numerous accomplishments
connected with his time at the library, commented simply in 1993 that he
recalled nothing during his tenure that he would consider a great challenge,
and that he had a good Board of Trustees and adequate funding. Robert
Vegeler had a little more to say of his predecessor's career: "Mr. Reynolds
expertise, in my opinion and during my tenure, was most productive in
bringing the library system into its role as an important part of our
community, and in obtaining financial support from the community for the
library."^ Vegeler mentioned specifically that Reynolds built a strong book
collection, encouraged staff development, sowed the seeds for the library's
nationally-known Historical Genealogy Department, and guided the facility
through construction projects for a new main library building and several
branches. Ashton agreed that Reynolds' work with the local library was
indelible. "From the time he joined the staff in 1930 right up to the present,
Fred Reynolds has had a powerful impact on ACPL and the community it
serves, "•" he said.

As Vegeler stepped into the position vacated by Reynolds, he asked
that the title be changed to Library Director because he believed it reflected
the current nature of the position, as well as a national trend. "A new
terminology had become standard nationally in library operations - library
heads became 'directors' in many cases. Head librarian terminology was no
longer being used. I was named 'director' and was reminded by a friendly
library board member that the new terminology would not inflate my
salary."*^ A Fort Wayne native, Vegeler graduated from Central High
School in the 1930s and began working at the library as a page. Few jobs
were available at the time, Vegeler said, and his former high school teacher.
Rex Potterf , hired him at a rate of fifteen cents per hour. He credited Potterf
with encouraging him to complete his degree at Manchester College and

^Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.

•" Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

^Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.

pursue library training at the University of Illinois. "If it hadn't been for
Mr. Potterf s pressure, I doubt very much if I would have become a college
graduate and gone on to library school."*" Between his positions as page
and Library Director, Vegeler also was coordinator of Adult Services, head
of the Young Adults' and Phonograph Record Rooms, branch librarian, an
employee in the Circulation and Reference Departments, a bookmobile
employee. Assistant Head Librarian, and Associate Head Librarian.

The Branch Boom

In 1967, as construction of the new main library building neared
completion, the Board of Trustees turned its attention to another subject -
the relocation and construction of branch libraries. The branch libraries in
existence at the time were poorly located and crowded, the trustees felt.
More floor space, additional public parking, and branch locations in areas
that reflected the growth of the county's population were needed. In
September, local resident Carlton Kruse offered to build a branch library
near Zollner Stadium, which he would lease to the Board of Trustees. This
offer sparked more discussion on the future of branches. Head Librarian
Fred Reynolds expressed his opinion that branches were costly and branch
personnel was difficult to obtain, and that he hoped to hold the number of
city branches to the four that currently existed. He stressed again in
November 1968 that he did not believe that the library system could afford
a large chain of branch libraries.

The Board of Trustees in November 1969 approved the hiring of a
three-member Library Building Consultants team to make a survey of Fort
Wayne's branch library system, including a plan of individual buildings and
site locations. Despite Reynolds' opinion, the Library Building Consultants
team recommended the establishment of four or five new branches. In the
end, three new branches - Georgetown, Hessen Cassel, and Waynedale -
were established and three existing branches - Shawnee, Little Turtle, and
Pontiac - were relocated. Some controversy occurred over locations for the
new and reestablished branches. More detail about this is provided in
another chapter in this volume. [See Bookmobiles & Branches.]

In April 1970, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution
authorizing the circulation of petitions toward a $2.4 million bond issue to
finance branch construction. Northern Trust Group of Chicago, Illinois, was
the successful bidder on the bond issue. The Board interviewed and hired
architects for the branches late in 1970, and the new branches opened in
1972.

%id.

Advent of the Allen County Public Library

During his short tenure of a year and a half as Library Director,
Robert Vegeler was faced with more than one administrative snafu. One
irritation was the continued roof leaks at the main library and Georgetown
Branch. The main controversy during Vegeler's administration, however,
was the merger of the Boards of Trustees of the Fort Wayne Public Library
and the Allen County Contractual Library. Prior to 1963, the Public Library
of Fort Wayne and Allen County was operated by the Board of School
Trustees. In 1947, Indiana had passed a law enabling public libraries to
establish their own Boards of Trustees, bonding authority, and property tax
rates and levies; however Fort Wayne had not adopted the provisions of this
law. In 1963, legislation was passed allowing the formation of a seven-
member appointed Board for the Fort Wayne Public Library, and an
additional four-member sub-Board for the Allen County portion of library
service. Although the library system operated as if it were countywide, some
distinct differences existed between the city and county entities. The two
boards met separately, except for a joint session on the budget. Separate
financial accounting was maintained for each, and book collections were
separate. While the city Board had the authority to bond for construction
projects, the county Board did not. County residents paid lower taxes to
support branch libraries in their areas.

In September 1972, the Allen County Tax Adjustment Board
recommended creation of a metropolitan library system for Allen County.
Head Librarian Fred Reynolds favored such a system and said that it could
be done legally by the separate Boards; however he added that the county
Board had been reluctant in the past to agree to combining the two
operations because the move would increase property tax levels of county
residents. Reynolds expressed his opinion that there was little possibility that
there would be a complete consolidation of the two library systems.

By the late- 1970s, some library officials, including Rick J. Ashton,
were questioning the fairness of the wide gap between tax levels for library
service. The difference in rates for city residents and residents of near-city
suburban areas were of particular concern. "The inequity was compounded
in the suburban ring, especially in the northeast area. Georgetown [Branch],
sitting inside the Fort Wayne city limits, was serving a predominantly
suburban clientele, who were not paying their fair share [of taxes], "^
Ashton said. An additional concern was the need for branch development in
the suburban areas of the county, but the county contractual library entity
had no bonding authority and no authority to own property. The Fort Wayne
Public Library Board could not be expected to build, own, or rent facilities
outside the city limits. Ashton raised these issues with the county Board

*^ Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

members upon Fred Reynolds' retirement in 1978, he said, but they were
not responsive.

In April 1979, Representative Mitchell Harper, a Republican from
New Haven, introduced a bill in the Indiana General Assembly that would
merge the city and county library systems, because he did not feel the
library Board as it stood was accountable to the public. "One of the reasons
I started on my crusade was because we had pretty lousy branch libraries
out here in New Haven, Woodbum and Harlan,'"^ he said. Board members
opposed the consolidation, voicing the opinion that a uniform tax rate would
unreasonably burden rural farm families whose areas would receive little
additional service. The bill was killed in committee. However, a similar
measure was included in an amendment to a bill about Willard Public
Library in Evansville. A House-Senate conference committee ordered this
amendment deleted as well, but a printer failed to remove it and the bill was
mistakenly passed and signed into law by Governor Otis Bowen, Sr.

Emergency attempts were considered to erase Public Law 220. In
fact. Representative Elmer MacDonald, a Republican from Fort Wayne, said
he would prepare an emergency bill to rescind the law when the legislature
again met in January. A problem with this solution was that if the bill were
rescinded, the main portion that applied to additional taxing authority for
Evansville' s Willard Library also would have been repealed. Various
compromises were proposed. It was suggested that the Board draft its own
measure to unify itself, which it had the power to do. At the request of the
separate Boards, Representative MacDonald introduced legislation in
November 1979 to reinstate the dual library system, however by January the
newly formed Allen County Public Library Board had reversed its position
and decided that the unified system would better serve all county residents.
"I did not know then and I do not know now what [Harper's] motivation
was," Ashton said. "The Library Board treated Harper's work as a hostile
act and tried to block it ... It was a good thing, as I knew at the time. But
it would not have been wise to say so in public."^"

The consolidation created a catch-22 when it came to drafting a
budget for the 1980 year. Because the combined Board of Trustees would
constitute a new unit of government, it was necessary that the 1980 budget
for the Allen County Public Library be submitted to the Indiana State Board
of Tax Commissioners by July 1, 1979. However, there was no entity to
submit the budget, since the combined Board would not officially exist until
January 1, 1980. The Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners suggested

^Byron Spice, "Oops! Library Law Didn't Get Shelved," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, Apr. 28, 1979.

^"Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

that the current city and county Boards of Trustees submit their usual
budgets, plus a combination budget in order to cover all possibilities.
However, Board attorney David Heaton expressed his opinion that the
current separate Boards did not have the legal authority to submit a
combination budget. The Board did so anyway. Six county property owners,
striving to protect their former lower tax rates, filed suit in Allen County
Superior Court to block the action,
stating that since the entity "Allen
County Public Library" would not
exist before January 1, there was
no duly constituted Board
empowered to adopt a combination
budget and tax rate. Judge Robert
L. Hines ruled that indeed,
adoption of the countywide tax rate
and budget was illegal.

"We'd like to get back to
the business of running a
library,"^' a harried Director
Vegeler said at one point. Vegeler
said in 1993 that he remembered
the merger of the city and county
Boards as the most challenging and
difficult issue of his tenure. He
gave credit to Assistant Library
Director Rick Ashton, who had
knowledge of financial and
legislative procedure and worked
closely with Vegeler during the
merger process.

Because of the legal confiision, the unified Allen County Public
Library Board of Trustees entity came into being January 1, 1980 with no
board members, no budget, and no authority to issue paychecks to
employees. The library paid its staff members anyway, knowing that it may
have been acting illegally, but the bank accepted the checks. A new Board
was appointed and the library system moved forward. In January, at the
second meeting of the new Board of Trustees, the Board used its power to
upgrade county facilities by approving $40,000 for improvements to four
county branches, as well as the Pontiac Reading Room. With the new
countywide system, Ashton noted, "Fort Wayne taxpayers actually

Robert Vegeler, longtime employee,
was Library Director during 1979
and 1980.

^'Rick Antoine, "Technicalities May Change Public Libraries," Fort
Wayne News Sentinel y Oct. 27, 1979.

experienced a decrease in their library taxes and county taxpayers, for the
first time, paid their fair share. "^^ In 1981, Allen County residents paid
$10.51 per person in taxes to support the library.

The government of the Allen County Public Library remains today
as it was established January 1, 1980. It is a municipal corporation, guided
by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Its management is the responsibility
of the Library Director.

Vegeler Steps Down; Ashton Leads

After one and a half years as Library Director, Robert Vegeler
announced his impending retirement in April 1980. He had given more than
forty years to the library system. "After 43 years and a myriad of positions
and titles, from library page to director, I felt a personal need to retire, to
have a change of pace, to relax, "^^ Vegeler said later.

The Board of Trustees appointed a three-member committee,
comprised of Alan McMahan, Patricia Vogel, and Board Chairman George
Mather, to begin the process of selecting a new director. Upon the
formation of this committee, Mather said the group would formulate a
process to use to solicit applicants for the position of Library Director. In
reality, no other applicants applied or were considered. The Board had made
its choice of Vegeler's successor before his retirement was announced. Rick
J. Ashton was named as Vegeler's "heir apparent" in September 1979, and
appointed in May 1980 to begin as Library Director June 1 at a salary of
$29,500.

Ashton himself admitted that directors of the public library in Fort
Wayne practiced "succession planning." During a search for Reynolds'
replacement in 1976, two and a half years before his retirement, the Board
looked at three candidates before choosing Vegeler. One was in Connecticut,
one in South Carolina, and one - Ashton - worked at the Newberry Library
in Chicago. That summer, Ashton said, he and Reynolds conversed about
Ashton's tryout for the job of Head Librarian. Locally, Robert Vegeler also
had expressed to Reynolds his interest in being Head Librarian, so Ashton
said the unwritten agreement was that Vegeler would serve for a few years
while Ashton gained administrative experience. The one snag in the plan
was that Vegeler retired earlier than expected. Indiana state law required
that an individual have his or her master's degree in library science for six
years, including three in an administrative capacity, before assuming the
directorship of a library in a city the size of Fort Wayne. Ashton did not

^^ Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.
^'Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.

meet this requirement. However, the Indiana Library Board issued him a
temporary permit, waving the experience requirements and allowing him to
assume directorship of the local library.

One writer of a letter to the editor of a local newspaper felt that the
appointment of Ashton was wrong, and indeed disagreed with the entire
system of library directors over the years "grooming" their successors. The
author of the letter said she did not mean to disparage Ashton, who seemed
in her eyes to be "a fine librarian and scholar,"^* but to ensure that the
most qualified person was appointed Library Director. She called for the
board to reconsider its appointment of Ashton, which it apparently did not
do since he continued as Library Director. Members of the Board's selection
committee said Ashton was "the obvious choice"^^ because of his
professional background, his excellent relationship with the board, his
performance as Assistant Director, and his knowledge of the library system.

Main Library Addition

One major occurrence of the Ashton years was the opening of a
55 ,(XX)-square-foot addition to the main library building in 1981. Nearly ten
years earlier, in December 1971 , the Young Women's Christian Association
(YWCA) Board announced that it would sell its downtown headquarters on
Wayne Street to the Allen County Public Library. The YWCA building sat
west of the main library building, in the same block. At the time of
construction of the library in the late 1960s, the library Board of Trustees
had asked YWCA administrators to be considered as the first buyer should
the YW decide to sell its building in the future. If successful in purchasing
the site, library officials planned to raze the YWCA building and use the
property for increased parking space and for expansion, should the need
arise. The YWCA building was purchased for about $258,000 in December
1971. Since demolition of the building was not to take place immediately,
part of the purchase agreement allowed YWCA functions to remain in the
structure rent-free for two years, and for an agreed-upon rent of $1 ,000 per
month for two additional years.

At the end of 1973, YWCA officials asked for an extension of the
free-rent period, which the library refused. Head Librarian Reynolds noted
that the library had invested more than a quarter of a million dollars in
public funds in the property, and that he felt an obligation to taxpayers to
show some sort of return on their investment. At the time, the YWCA was

^"^Judith L. Violette, "Library Director Appointment Wrong," Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette letter to the editor, May 20, 1980.

^^"Board Approves Ashton to Library Director Post," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, May 9, 1980.

building a new facility on Wells Street, but this building project had been
delayed. Denied rent-free space, the organization asked at the end of 1975
for an extension of its lease, which apparently was granted for two
additional years. The YWCA then asked for an indefinite extension on its
lease of the building next door to the library. This time, library officials
refused, stating that the main library already was overcrowded and that
expansion of facilities would need to take place within the next two years.
Following this decision, a YWCA report was published that charged that the
library Board had been unfair "by ousting the women's organization from
its building on Wayne Street. "^^ After the report was published, the library
received several telephone calls from irate women who did not know all of
the facts of the transaction.

In 1977, Reynolds persuaded the Board of Trustees that the time
had come for expansion of the main library. "In many areas of the building,
shelves were overflowing with books. In some departments, standing room
only was the rule of the day for library users. "^ A $3.5 million addition
to the main library building was planned, which would provide an additional
55,000 square feet of space.

The local Taxpayers Research Association (TRA) opposed a bond
issue for an addition to the main library. The organization questioned
whether a proposed three-hundred-seat auditorium was necessary, and
whether the library needed to continue to operate its print shop, among other
points. An editorial in the Fort Wayne News Sentinel in March 1977 favored
the expansion and saw little evidence of resistance to the idea except that
voiced by the TRA. "While usually the work of the Taxpayers Research
Association in seeking the best uses and economies in spending tax dollars
is widely appreciated, the case against the Library improvement may be
shortsighted,"^^ the editorial said.

TRA members said the organization was not opposed to library
expansion, but felt a bond issue was premature. Despite this opinion, the
Library Board circulated petitions for the bond issue and approved it in
April 1977. The $3.5 million bond issue would support design, construction,
and equipment for the main library addition. First National Bank of Chicago
bought the bonds at an interest rate of 4.0143 percent. Construction

^*^"Library: YW Story 'Tarnished' Image," Fort 'Wayne Journal Gazette,
Jun. 26, 1976.

^"Open House Marks Library Dedication," Fort Wayne Journal
Gazette, Jan. 17, 1981.

^^"Library of Distinction," Fort Wayne News Sentinel editorial, Mar. 3,
1977.

contracts were awarded in July 1978, and construction began in August.

Although originally scheduled for completion in September 1979,
at that time it was announced that the addition would not be ready until
March 1980. An attempt was being made to match the addition to the rest
of the main library building, and it had been difficult to obtain the stone
aggregate used in the precast concrete shell of the structure. A trade union
strike also had slowed the construction process, as had ground water
unexpectedly encountered when the addition's subbasement was dug. By
January 1980, construction of the addition was a full six months behind
schedule and the newest estimated completion date was July 1, 1980. At that
time, move into the addition was again delayed, this time because shelving
had not arrived. Finally, in December 1980, selected main library functions
were moved into their new home in the addition. It housed meeting rooms.
Young Adult Services, an expanded Historical Genealogy Department with
controlled lighting for the viewing of microfilm, a public-access studio for
cable television, and an expanded Government Documents area in the
basement. Art, Music and Audiovisual Services was moved into the former
location of the Historical Genealogy Department and enjoyed increased
space for displaying framed art prints available for checkout. The move of
Young Adult Services to the addition provided more space in the original
building for Readers' Services and Reference Services. The Talking Books
service also was moved from the basement to a more visible location. Staff
members completed the move of materials while wearing different color-
coded tee-shirts for different tasks. Signs were posted and lines were taped
on the floors to display traffic patterns. "Traffic cops" directed the action,
and "first aid stations" supplied coffee and doughnuts to the movers. During
the move, the rest of the main library operated as usual, although most
departments had only one employee on duty. Maintenance workers were
busy around the clock, presumably assembling the late-arriving shelving, to
keep ahead of the movers.

Dedication ceremonies for the main library addition took place
January 1, 1981. The wing matched the 1968 building in scale, materials,
and details. The white quartz precast concrete members had been poured in
the same pans used for the original building. An area of skylights, bridges
and overhanging interior balconies tied the original building to the addition.
The addition would be "warmer" than the original building, it was
predicted, with its carpeted areas and brightly colored furniture. The 1968
building, chiefly concrete, metal, and linoleum, was not noted for its
warmth . A new entrance on the west end of the addition allowed access to
the 270-seat auditorium even during the time the library was closed. The
addition's opening was celebrated with a week of special events, including
storytimes for children, films, karate demonstrations, a Dungeons and
Dragons Day, and performances by musicians.

55
The First of the Five-Year Plans

Rick Ashton initiated the first five-year strategic planning process
of the local public library in 1979, during his tenure as Assistant Director.
His goal was to "organize and exploit the human, material, and financial
resources of the library for the good of the community, and to set a
direction for change and growth," he later said. Ashton noted that before
this planning process, he felt the library had no particular sense of direction.
The content of the plan, in Ashton's eyes was not as important as the
planning process itself, and particularly the participation of staff members
at all levels. In fact, at times, junior staff members chaired planning process
committees. "For the first time, ACPL learned that it could set and pursue
a direction which was not the single vision of one man," Ashton said. He
stressed the importance of the transformation of the library from a "one-man
show" or an institution "run on czarist principles" to one where authority
was more widely spread. "With 200 people thinking, not just one, we were
bound to be better off," he said.^'

A draft of the plan included thirty-two goals and 151 objectives in
the areas of service, resource management, and administration. Among
objectives were the following: increase circulation of books; explore new
technological means of delivery of library services; organize adult reading
and book discussion groups; establish and research and educational program
in the fields of genealogy and local history; remove barriers to public access
to library materials wherever possible; simplify the process of classification
of library materials; coordinate collection development and services with
other libraries in the area; increase the amount of original programming
broadcast on Cable Channel 10; increase the number of in-house reference
questions and telephone reference questions; increase the amount of business
materials; increase the number of Allen County residents holding active
library cards; plan for Sunday service; create storytelling workshops for
parents; establish a regular program of art and media exhibits in the library
gallery; and establish a system for lending art, music, and audio-visual
materials in all libraries.

Attainment of many of the goals and objectives of the plan was
dependent upon the library's purchasing power. It was noted that increases
in services and resources would have to be financed through more efficient
operation, rather than through increases in financial support. Copies of the
draft of the plan were available at the main library, all branches, and all
bookmobiles. Members of the public were encouraged to submit oral or
written comments during July and August 1981. A newspaper article calling
the public's attention to the library's five-year plan looked even further into
the future and targeted 1991 as the year when "... some people still called

^'Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

it the card catalog, though the wooden cabinets and millions of 3x5 cards
had been replaced by a row of plastic computer terminals."*' Ironically, it
was in 1991 - during another five-year planning process - that the library's
first online computer catalog became available for public use. Ashton, as
Library Director, noted in 1981 that "the book is not going to disappear by
any means, but a whole new way of disseminating information is upon
us."«'

In September 1981, a public hearing on the library's strategic plan
took place in the main library auditorium. It was broadcast by Cable
Channel 10. Citizens were invited to attend, or to telephone with their
suggestions. These included more direct access to books, rather than storing
books in the basement and sub-basement, and the establishment of a branch
library in the Time Comers area, among other comments. Ashton answered
the suggestions, saying that access to materials had actually increased during
the previous few years, and noting that the proposed five-year plan called
for the development of criteria for establishing branches.

By the end of 1983, at least two major goals of the planning process
had been initiated. The library had established Sunday open hours, and had
contracted for computer automation of library functions. Associate Director
Steven C. Fortriede, upon the eve of the library's second strategic planning
process in March 1990, commented on this earlier venture: "The real
purpose of the planning process in 1982 was to get staff talking to one
another and thinking about their jobs, something which we accomplished
magnificently. No one really cared about the written output: the process
was, by far, the more important product."*^ Ashton reflected in 1993 that
library staff had approached the planning process of the 1980s in somewhat
of a naive manner, including outside participation from the Board of
Trustees and the public very little. However, he still viewed the process as
a positive one. "I believe that the first Five Year Plan released the energy
of the ACPL and began the organizational momentum which still exists,
carrying it from being a very good to a great public library,"^ Ashton
said.

^'Byron Spice, "Computer Technology Forms Basis for Services of
Libraries of the Future," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Aug. 1, 1981.

^'Ibid.

^^Steven Fortriede, "The Plan to Plan," Memo to Allen County Public
Library Operations staff, Mar. 16, 1990.

^Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

Growing Through the '80s
And Into the '90s

The Allen County Public Library in the 1980s was quickly growing
out of its small town public library roots and into a metropolitan facility that
served residents of the city, the county, and at times the world beyond these
arbitrary political boundaries. In February 1981, the Board of Trustees
approved the Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement. Through this measure,
citizens of the state of Indiana with valid library cards from a participating
library, could borrow circulating materials from any other participating
library in the state. Large libraries, such as the Allen County Public
Library, overwhelmingly were the "lenders" in this agreement, so the
Indiana State Library allocated $11 ,620 in federal funds to the ACPL for the
remainder of the federal fiscal year to help defray costs of staff time in
meeting interlibrary loan requests. At the time the ACPL joined the
program, about half of the libraries in the state had approved the Reciprocal
Borrowing Agreement. Rick Ashton called the phenomenon "a new and
growing trend among libraries throughout the nation."**

The Friends of the Allen County Public Library group also was
formed in that notable year of 1981. A new logo for the library was
unveiled in conjunction with the kickoff of the membership drive for the
Friends organization. The new logo was designed by artist Lee Bleifield,
and had people as its focus, rather than books. In October, the Friends' first
book sale netted the library more than $13,000. About 24,000 books and
four hundred phonograph records that had been discarded from the library's
collection were sold. It was hoped, at the formation of the Friends
organization, that it and a future Allen County Public Library Foundation
would help the library system financially in those times of growing inflation
and tightening tax revenues. The proposed budget for 1982 reflected the
inflationary times. At $4,042,900, it represented a 5.9 percent increase over
the 1981 budget to allow for a twenty-six percent increase in telephone
charges, a thirty-three percent increase in sewer fees, a thirty percent
increase in equipment costs, and a twelve percent increase in the allocation
for materials.

Also in 1981, the Board approved a 1982 tax levy of nearly $3.24
million, $29,000 more than the legal maximum. Ashton said this was
necessary because of the state-mandated participation in an unemployment
compensation program. However, the Allen County Tax Adjustment Board
reduced the tax levy to its legal limit of about $3.22 million. The Board of
Trustees voted to appeal this action to the Indiana State Board of Tax

**Charlene Mires, "Library Cards Now Good at Other Libraries in
State," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Feb. 27, 1981.

Commissioners. Rising periodical costs were felt by the library in 1983.
Between 1977 and 1982, periodical costs rose eighty-two percent, compared
to thirty-two percent for book costs. Those doing collection development in
periodicals watched new purchases carefully, and renewed ongoing
subscriptions for one year at a time. Money was tight during the 1980s for
repair of buildings, as well. However, in 1986, officials planned $142,000
worth of repairs to the main library, branches, and a bookmobile, when the
Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners ruled that the library could not
keep more than $35,000 in the Library Improvement Reserve Fund. Routine
maintenance to buildings had been delayed in prior years because of a lack
of funds.

Patrons felt the burden of the inflationary 1980s individually and
acted in ways that also affected the library and its collections. Newspapers
and telephone directories for cities in Sun Belt states were increasingly in
demand. "They seem to be looking for jobs," said librarian Susan Hunt in
1982. "You'll see people going through newspapers and writing down
addresses."*^ Library officials had to remove classified advertisements for
Dallas and Houston newspapers because they kept disappearing. They were
kept in a drawer and available upon request after that.

In addition to growth in the number and scope of patrons that the
library served, and in the varied methods of financing it sought, the facility
also was growing in the number and types of materials and services
available to its clientele. In early 1982, the Allen County Public Library
system boasted nearly 1.7 million books, about 3,000 magazine
subscriptions, some 25,000 phonograph records and audiocassettes,
hundreds of 16mm films, 130 videotapes, and 300,000 fine art prints, slides,
and pieces of sheet music. The collection also included thousands of
recorded books for people with visual and physical disabilities. The library
had one of the most extensive genealogical collections in the world. New in
1982 were a Kurzweil reading machine in the Talking Books area, the Job
Information Center in Business and Technology, educational toys for loan
in Children's Services, the 1980 federal population census statistics in
Government Documents, and the 1910 federal census on microfilm in the
Historical Genealogy Department. Television Services was established as a
leading public access television center.

In November 1982, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to
open the library on Sundays and close it Friday evenings. Sunday hours,
which the library had not had for fifty years, were requested by patrons
during the strategic planning process. Opening Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.
cost the library about $33,000 per year, but closing Friday evenings saved

^^Barbara Olenyik Morrow, "... for the Jobless, Curious, Lonely," Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan. 29, 1982.

$7,000, making the total outlay for the change about $26,000 per year. The
only agencies not open Sundays were Talking Books and the
Telecommunication Center. Closing Friday evening was not expected to
cause serious outcry from patrons. "There are many times when the staff
outnumber the public on Friday night, "^ Director Ashton said. Sunday
hours were proving popular at the time at another metropolitan library in the
state. Officials at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library reported
that the facility circulated more books during the four hours it was open on
Sundays than during any other four-hour period. During the first seven
weeks of Sunday hours at the Allen County Public Library, the numbers of
patrons, questions asked, and materials borrowed averaged about ten percent
more than during the same hours on weekdays. During thirty-four Sunday
afternoons in 1983, more than 45,000 items were borrowed. From January
through May 1983, patrons borrowed an average of 225 items per hour
during the week, and an average of 309 items per hour on Sundays, Sunday
hours continue currently, 1 to 6 p.m. from the Sunday after Labor Day until
the Sunday before Memorial Day. Another hours change in 1983 concerned
the branches. Nine of the library's eleven branches closed on Saturdays for
the summer because of low summer weekend use in previous years. Only
Georgetown and Shawnee Branches remained open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays. Previously, all branches had been open 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
Other changes prompted by the growth of the Allen County Public
Library during the 1980s took advantage of technological advancements.
These included the acquisition of a computerized energy management system
that monitored lighting, heating, water softening, and air conditioning; a
new telephone system; and a computer book-ordering service. In November
1983, the library passed the two million mark in circulation with similar
growth in use of reference services and program attendance. The facility's
volunteer base also was growing. About one hundred Friends of the Library
volunteers and other local residents regularly gave library tours, staffed
book sales, inspected borrowed films after their return, and helped with
library programs. In addition, about another one hundred volunteers
regularly worked in the public access television studio. In January 1984, a
new staff position was created to recruit, train, and supervise these
volunteers. Rapid growth of certain areas of the county during the mid-
1980s led library officials to consider the efficiency of the existing branches
at their present locations, and the possibility of opening new branches in
these growing areas of the county. A 1985 report recommended closing four
existing branches that served small or overlapping populations in order to
open three new branches in areas not being served. However, public outcry

^^"Main Library to Open Sundays," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Nov.
17, 1982.

against the closure of existing branches prompted the Board of Trustees to
table the recommendation and agree to leave all existing branches open at
least through 1987. [See Bookmobiles & Branches.]

In 1983 and 1984, Director Rick Ashton implemented a
reorganization of the departments of the main library, partly as a result of
several employee resignations and retirements, but mainly because the
departments were organized as they had been in the Carnegie library
building, and Ashton did not see their operation as efficient. "In the old
building, departmentalized services had been organized around the rooms or
other spaces into which they were crammed,"*^ he said, and when the new
main library building was constructed, the organization of departments was
repeated. Of the ten departments that existed in the Public Services arena in
August 1983, Ashton planned that seven would remain by the end of the
year. Government Documents and Business and Technology were combined
into one department, as were Readers' Services, Reference Services, and
Talking Books.

One of the goals of the reorganization project was to increase

public access to some of the materials formerly housed in storage areas in

the basement and subbasement. Before the reorganization, about a third of

the library's one million titles were immediately available to the public.

Ashton hoped to increase this number by fifty percent. He also engineered

the gathering together in one location on the second floor all fine arts

materials, and moving materials in little demand to the basement and

subbasement storage areas. As a

part of the reorganization, patrons

were allowed to borrow many

things that previously had not

circulated; the magazine area was

expanded; and the catalog was

updated to include the development

of fairly recent subject areas, such

as computers. Shelves were marked

with cross-references so that

patrons could easily find related

materials. Prior to the

reorganization, Ashton said, he

saw no clearly organized approach

to service. He felt "the library t»« i a u* t -u m * c

,j . . ^ Rick Ashton, Library Director from

could serve its customers in a more *noi\ xl u ino^

1980 through 1985.

*^ Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

straightforward, less confusing fashion."^

Ashton left the Allen County Public Library in June 1985 to direct
the Denver Public Library system in Colorado. He later said that the
greatest challenges he faced during his tenure as Director of the local library
included his inexperience and the lack of organizational structure when he
stepped into the directorship. Conversely, his greatest accomplishment was
building the staff and providing employees the organization and direction to
serve the community at a high level of excellence. This resulted in
expanded, improved, and eased service to the community. "We put our
energy where it belonged, on service to the people,"* Ashton said. Steven
C. Fortriede took over as Acting Director of the system until Spring 1986,

when Jeffrey R. KruU was hired as
Director. Krull came to the Allen
County Public Library from the
Mansfield-Richland County Public
Library in Mansfield, Ohio, where
he had been director since 1978. A
native of North Tonawanda, New
York, he was a graduate of
Williams College in Massachusetts,
and held a master's degree in
library science from the State
University of New York. Krull had
experience in library automation,
which fit one of the local library
system's three major goals at the
time of his hiring. They were to
execute plans for computer
automation, to establish a library
endowment fund, and to construct new branches to serve the shifting Allen
County population. In accordance with this last goal, in 1986 the Board of
Trustees appointed a committee to study branch library service in the
county. The result was construction of the Aboite and Dupont Branches in
1989. [See Bookmobiles & Branches.]

During Krull' s administration, the library system has continued to
grow and change in the areas of programming, technology, physical
facilities, and acquisition of materials. By 1990, the Allen County Public
Library was ranked among the twenty-five largest collections in the nation
and circulated about three million items annually. It included nearly 1.8

,^«— *■■■

Jeffrey R. Krull, current Director
of the Allen County Public Library.

«%id.
^id.

million books at that time, more books per capita than most other public
libraries in the country. In 1993, while the population of the local library's
service area ranked 124th among metropolitan areas of the United States, the
size of its collection ranked thirtieth . Two examples of programming and
materials advancements during this period were the launching of the
Renaissance Center for the Book program in 1989 with the goal of
encouraging the reading and discussion of good books, and the acquisition
in May 1992 of the 1920 federal population census in the Historical
Genealogy Department. The purchase of the census microfilm was funded
with a grant from the Foellinger Foundation, and enabled the local system
to be the first library in the country to provide patrons with access to the
1920 census. In the area of technology, Fax Central opened in September
1990. An in-house delivery system, it facilitated the nearly instant transfer
of periodical articles or other information from the main library to the
branches. The first public terminals for the automated catalog were installed
in 1991.

Finances have been another area of change for the Allen County
Public Library in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1990, the annual budget for the
library system had increased to $9,072,500. Slightly more than seventy-five
percent of this amount came from property taxes, about ten percent from
local auto excise tax revenue, and about three percent from the county
option income tax. The remainder was gathered from overdues fines, copy
charges, grants, and miscellaneous tax and lease revenues. By 1993, the
proposed budget was $11.5 million. Despite the steady upward climb of the
budget throughout the years, growth in use of local library facilities has
been even more dramatic, causing staffing shortages in most areas of the
local library system. As a money-saving measure in the summer of 1991,
the administration instituted a hiring freeze. In November 1991, the Indiana
State Board of Tax Commissioners approved the library's appeal for a
higher tax levy for 1992, which would provide an additional $1 million in
the budget, and eventually the hiring freeze was relaxed.

Automation

In 1983, with a grant of $100,000 from the Library Services and
Construction Act, the Allen County Public Library began to convert the
records in the card catalog to computer-readable files. Technical Sen/ices
Manager Luana K. Stanley became automation project manager. In late
1985, a $2.95 million bond issue was proposed and 2,941 citizens signed
petitions in support of library automation. The Board of Trustees approved
a resolution to issue bonds for the project in December 1985.

No opposition was filed against the measure by Allen County
residents, and bonds were issued in July 1986. Library officials signed a
contract in 1986 with CLSI, Inc., to install a fiilly-automated information
system. Installation of the automated system began in April 1987.

In 1989, a labeling and linking process began, through which library
materials were labeled with barcodes and linked to the automated catalog.
Circulation Services personnel now are able to complete the checkout
process by scanning the item's barcode and the barcode on the patron's
library card through laser technology. In 1989, more than 700,000
individual items, nearly half of the library's holdings, were barcoded and
entered into the computer system. By December 1990, reserves could be
placed on materials via computer at all library branches.

In August and September 1991, patrons gained access to the
automated catalog. During the summer of 1992, the card catalog was
dismantled and moved to a storage area, and additional online public access
terminals were installed on the first floor in the main library. Although some
patrons have expressed their dismay at using the automated catalog, most
have adapted to it. Advantages of the automated catalog are especially
apparent for patrons of the Allen County Public Library's branches. At any
branch or at the main library, patrons can now determine whether the
library owns a particular item and if so, where in the system it is held.
Reserves can be placed instantly at any branch or at the main library, and
materials can be routed to any branch. Before automation, some branches
had no catalog at all. The main disadvantage of the automated system is
that, as computers are prone to do, it temporarily fails on occasion.^

Construction and Renovation

In September 1989, the Allen County Public Library began an $8
million capital improvement program to upgrade, modernize, and expand the
main library and all branches. During the construction and remodeling
process, some branches were temporarily relocated or closed, others
remained open. Aboite and Dupont Branches were added to the library
system at this time in the southwestern and northern areas of the county,
where branch service had been needed for nearly a decade.

In the main library building, the Historical Genealogy Department
was expanded to double its previous floor space, a Rare and Fine Book
Room with controlled lighting and temperature was added, the building
received a new indirect lighting system, the card catalog was removed and
automated catalog terminals installed, and many areas received new
carpeting and other refiirbishments. A new half moon-shaped circulation
desk with a first come, first served system replaced the previous rectangular
configuration with separate lines for different services. Another change in
the main library was the installation of a first-contact desk or "help desk"

^Luana Stanley, now Systems Manager, wrote an article for Journal of
Systems Management on the process of "Automating the Allen County
Public Library."

in 1992. Staff who were stationed at this desk just inside the building's front
door were charged primarily with directing patrons to appropriate
departments or locations within the building and answering questions about
the library system's holdings. The Readers' Services and Periodicals
reference desks were arranged into a centrally-located information center.

The Present and the Future

Issues of the 1990s that are affecting libraries are the promotion of
literacy, outreach to homebound patrons, fee-based information services, the
impact of proposed legislation that would affect libraries, the supervision of
unattended children. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and other
contagious diseases, and the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act
(ADA). In conjunction with the ADA, the library system's strategic plan
created in the early 1 990s called for providing a dedicated access line for the
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), evaluating all services to
ensure compliance with the act, and surveying all facilities and making
necessary accommodations. The 1989 capital improvement project provided
access for people with disabilities to all library facilities.

In 1991 , staff began the process of strategic planning for the library
system's next five years, 1992 through 1997. The goal of the process was
to provide unity and a sense of direction for the library. During planning
meetings, staff members studied the questions, Where are we now? Where
do we want to be in five years? and How do we get there? Resulting goals
included:

• Provide materials to meet the current and anticipated
informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of Allen County
residents.

• Provide services to assist patrons seeking information, recreation,
and life-long learning opportunities through library resources.

• Maintain and improve facilities for comfort, convenience, and
safety, and for the protection of library properties and materials.

• Staff all areas with qualified, dedicated, service-oriented
employees, and deploy them effectively to meet the needs of library patrons.

• Make cost effective use of automation and other technologies to
increase staff productivity and provide the best possible service for patrons.

• Maintain effective communication within the library organization
among staff at all levels and locations.

• Publicize the resources and services offered by the library to
increase the awareness of current users and attract new users.

• Secure adequate financial resources and allocate them in such a
way as to produce maximum benefit for library users.

• Monitor progress toward achievement of goals and update plan
as necessary.

Chapter 3
Main Library Agencies & Services

In the interest of better use by patrons the services of the main library are
departmentalized.

In the early years of the public library in Fort Wayne, separate
departments for subject ^areas of study did not exist, nor did supportive
departments, such as cataloging and circulation. The head librarian and a
small staff handled most of the functions of the library, from reference
service in all subject areas for all ages, to the circulation of books.
However, just after the turn of the century, as the library grew, specialized
departments began to emerge. As early as 1923 and 1924, the heads of main
library departments met regularly - the fourth Thursday of each month - to
discuss their work. These meetings often included a review of
accomplishments and discussion of future plans.

Main Library Operations

Art, Music & Audiovisual Services

It [the library] . . . for the enrichment of its patrons has moved impressively
into the field of fine arts.

Some of the services currently performed by the Art, Music and
Audiovisual Services Department began early in the library's history, long
before any of the department's predecessors even came to be. In 1898, for
example, when the library was housed in the Brackenridge house,
"interesting and beautiful exhibits of paintings and etchings from Chicago

and other places"' were displayed. In 1911, the library was the location of
several art exhibits arranged by the Fort Wayne Art School and others under
the supervision of a Miss Hall, who was instructor of art in the local public
schools. These exhibits were displayed in the library's assembly room.

The library began collecting books on music during the 1930s as an
accelerated interest in the subject among community residents became
apparent. In July 1939, Head Librarian Rex M. Potterf bought the "cream
of the crop" of the fine arts collection of Chicago collector Arthur H.
Mitchell. This included about two hundred volumes of literature of the
theater and music, "... the beginnings of what can well become one of the
most extensive collections of any public library in the United States in the
literature of the theatre and music ...."^Potterf reportedly purchased the
items at very modest prices, although many were out of print and some had
been published abroad. Many of the volumes were in excellent condition.
Among them were several that were fine examples of bookbinding, as well
as some that needed to be rebound.

At the time of the purchase of the Mitchell collection, the library's
collection of materials in the field of music already was growing.
"Associated in this buildup of the theatre arts and letters section of the
library is a collection which is steadily growing in actual musical
manuscripts which can be circulated among people of limited means,
particularly, for the benefit of musicians and those studying music. "^
Library staff were looking forward to a time when the facility would house
a fme arts department. "It is unfortunate that a few at least of the Mitchell
books could not be placed in a department or collection separate and distinct
from the regular library stacks. "■*

Before the Record Room was instituted in 1948, a committee of
librarians visited other large city public libraries to view their phonograph
record-loaning practices. The Record Room was established in February of
1948, and from the beginning library administrators "envisioned the creation
of a collection that would rival the best."^ Robert H. Vegeler, later library

'Colerick, History of the Public Library, 6.

^"Distinguished Collection of Books on Theatre Obtained for Public
Library by Rex Potterf," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Jul. 27, 1939.

^Ibid.

nbid.

^Sixty-Third Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County, 10.

Director, was involved in the establishment of the Phonograph Record
Room. He recalled that it was "a development in broadening the library's
services"* and followed a national trend among major libraries. In the
beginning, the room housed mainly recordings of classical music. As head
of the Record Room, Vegeler began a live weddy radio program to
publicize the library and its services which ran for a number of years.

The Record Room was an expensive endeavor because of the
original cost of records, the portfolios in which they were k^t (sometimes
as expensive as the records themselves), and the intricate cataloging. The
borrowing public was greatly satisfied with the Record Room, but one
problem with the new service that plagued the library was that of
obsolescence. "No sooner were the 78 r.p.m. records catalogued and
available for use than the new type of long play record came into vogue and
very soon 90 percent of the demands from the public were for the new type
record."^

By March 1949, the Record Room housed 18,000 recordings,
including music, addresses by statesmen, foreign language records, and
those of special interest to children. In 1953, the collection included 18,318
records, and the library also had eight record players, one film projector,
and one motion picture film. It circulated 32,993 records that year. This was

Left to right: Robert Vegeler, Rex Potterf and Marianne Gardiner
in the Record Room, 1949. {News Sentinel photo)

^Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.
^"Founding and Growth of Library Told."

a large jump in phonograph record circulation from the 23,707 of 1952. By
1956, the library's extensive record collection included mainly classical
music, as well as operettas, musical comedies, plays, poetry, jazz, square
dances, children's stories, foreign language courses, etc. Borrowers had to
be fourteen or older and were required to pay a $5 deposit against damage.
The library also had two soundproof booths with good high fidelity record
players. Borrowers could play the library's records on these players for
thirty minutes or until someone else wished to use the booth. Demand often
was beyond capacity. Non-cardholders could have staff play music for them.
Some examples of patrons who used this service were a lonely man newly
employed in the city whose family had not yet arrived, a child who was
taking music lessons and needed to hear an example, and young man
seeking suitable and inexpensive entertainment for his girlfriend.

About 1956, some changes were being seen in the types of music
and recordings requested by patrons. Library staff members found that while
at one time parents had borrowed children's recordings for before bedtime
listening or to entertain an ill child, television was beginning to meet those
needs. However, the demand for the library to carry popular music was
becoming stronger. Another anticipated change that faced the department in
1956 was the move to a building across the alley from the main library in
order to ease the facility's crowded conditions. Remodeling of Annex No.
1 at 918-920 Webster Street was accomplished by the summer of 1958, and
the move of the Record Room took place at that time. Eileen Marie Dolph
Schobert was head of the Record Room prior to her resignation in 1965.
The Record Room moved to an annex at 220-222 West Berry Street during
construction of the 1968 main library building. EHiring the 1960s, the
available statistics show that its circulation of phonograph records steadily
decreased, despite the collection's continued growth.

1961 - 24,000 records in collection; borrowed

1962- ; 32,153 "

1963-26,045 ; 31,383 "

1964 - 26,855 " •• - ; 28,281 "

1965-27,283 ; 24,728 "

1967-27,719 ; 22,112 "

Ehiring the period that the Record Room was located in the annexes,
the main library continued to be the site of other functions that today are
associated with the Art, Music and Audiovisual Services Department. For
example, in 1958, the library had its own art gallery. During the 1960s, the
Fort Wayne Junior League assisted the library in beginning a circulating
16mm film collection by donating three films. Ephemera borrowed by
patrons in 1963 included pictures and children's Viewmaster reels. Of the
latter, the library had 3,886. Viewmaster reels loaned in 1964 totaled 7,779.

In 1964, the library made substantial additions to its collection of mounted
pictures. In 1965, the number of Viewmaster reels loaned dropped to 5,979,
but patrons borrowed the library's 499 8mm films 4,457 times. In 1967, the
library loaned 6,471 pictures and prints, 1,635 Viewmaster reels, 2,212
films, and 6,324 color slides. The framed print collection by that time
numbered 1 ,529. Also available in the area of fine arts and related materials
were 8,769 color slides, and 568 8mm and super-8mm films. Many
reference volumes of music also were acquired in 1967 that strengthened the
collection.

In 1964, library officials decided that a combination art and music
department would be part of the new main library building. John Frederic
Karl Ross was hired as head of the planned department. In 1967, before the
new building opened, Ross' position was changed to art consultant and
Richard Elmer was hired as manager of the Fine Arts Department. Plans
called for the department to offer for loan framed reproductions of famous
artwork. Ross, who formerly was curator of the Fort Wayne Art Museum,
selected the reproductions, which were mounted on masonite and sprayed
with a protective coating. The library's carpenter made frames of walnut,
butternut, cherry, birch, and red elm for the prints. Library patrons could
select two prints from albums of three- by five-inch color prints, and check
them out for two months. Slides of the prints were kept in a slide collection
filed by periods of art, country, and alphabetically by artist. The slides were
available for lectures on art history. More than 30,000 musical recordings
also would be available in the Fine Arts Department upon the opening of the
new building, and space was planned for the exhibit of original artworks.

The creation of the Fine Arts Department was the beginning of
several transformations and reorganizations of departments specializing in
various aspects of the arts. In the 1969-1970 and 1973 personnel directories,
two departments. Arts and Recordings and the Record Room, were listed.
Other sources indicate that the Phonograph Record Room was a section of
the Fine Arts Department. Between 1974 and 1975, the Arts and Recordings
Department became the Art and Music Department. The Audiovisual
Department appeared in the personnel directory for the first time in 1975.

The Phonograph Record Room, located for several years in a
building adjacent to the Carnegie structure and then in another annex, closed
May 1 1 , 1968, and reopened in the new building in June. Upon its opening,
the new Fine Arts Department occupied 9,000 square feet and had a staff of
five, 40,000 books, a collection of 10,611 color slides, 20,000 phonograph
records, and four listening tables. Some of the topics included in books and
bound periodicals in the department were architecture, sculpture, painting,
graphic arts, and music. A gallery area in the new building featured exhibits
by individual artists and groups. Staff members planned to give illustrated
lectures on art and arrange coffee concerts by local musicians. The
phonograph record section of the department continued to provide patrons

with musical and other types of recordings, and produced a weekly radio
program. The library had 1,600 framed prints for patrons to borrow upon
the opening of the new main library building, and one year later, circulation
of these prints totaled 10,312. This service was discontinued about 1990.

The library's second floor auditorium was often used for fine arts
programs in the year following the new building's opening, including art
lectures, chamber music performances, and a series of Beethoven concerts.

Throughout the late- 1960s and into the 1970s, the Fine Arts
Department, including the Phonograph Record Room, continued to grow
with the acquisition of materials. In 1968, the library Board approved the
expenditure of $828 from the Library Improvement Reserve Fund for
multiplex cabinets, since the Fine Arts Department was expanding its
collection of color transparencies. In 1969, the Board approved another
expenditure, $1,094.40 for about three hundred stereo records for the
Phonograph Record Room. Another $1,550 was appropriated in 1971 for the
purchase of records and 8mm films. Approximately 30,000 records were
available for patrons to borrow by 1971. That year, a newspaper article
noted that the library "for the enrichment of its patrons has moved
impressively into the field of fine arts."^

In 1973, the Board allocated about $2,000 for the purchase of
additional records. In 1972, Head Librarian Fred Reynolds received
permission from the library Board to begin collecting 16mm films, with the
caveat that the library's initial investment was not to exceed $10,000, drawn
from the book fund. By 1976, a rotating collection of two dozen 16mm
films from the Indiana Library Film Service was available for checkout by
any adult with a library card.

Programming and reference service also were a part of the Fine
Arts Department in the 1970s. In 1972, for example, several exhibits were
shown in the fine arts gallery, and the department hosted live music
programs. In 1974, the library showed previews of 8 and 16mm films and
videotapes in the second floor auditorium during lunchtime. The films were
considered for the library's circulating collection, and the videotapes were
of Fort Wayne's changing street scenes, Three Rivers Festival reenactments
of Civil War battles, weaving workshops, and other subjects. The same
year, John Ross, the library's art consultant, gave a series of free public
lectures on art at Shawnee Branch. Almost 6,000 people attended film
showings at the main library and its branches in 1974. Also popular were
live music concerts given on Sunday afternoons, which attracted nearly 400
people each week. In 1972, staff in the Fine Arts Department answered
4,417 reference questions. In 1974, 2,705 reference questions were

^"Public Library Known Better Afar than Home!" Fort Wayne Journal
Gazette, Jun. 17, 1971.

answered. From 1975 through 1981, in the absence of a manager, Helen
Colchin of the Reference Department supervised the Art and Music
Department and the Record Room. Carol Elaine Cowles Pelz became
manager in 1981 and served until 1983. Upon her resignation, Margaret
Ann Portolese became acting manager. Other department managers during
the 1980s included Kay Lynn Isca, Greg Motsinger (acting manager),
Megan Steams, and Peter Cartford (acting manager). The current manager
is Robert Brubaker, who came to the department in 1989.

In 1981, the addition to the main library was opened and the
Historical Genealogy Department moved across the second floor into the
addition. Following some remodeling, the Fine Arts and Audiovisual
Departments expanded into the space that formerly had housed the Historical
Genealogy Department. The Fine Arts Department's new quarters allowed
a large increase of space for the display of framed art prints available for
checkout.

During the 1980s, the department continued its services of loaning
records, framed art, films, and other non-book fine arts materials. Also
available for checkout on a library card were film, slide, overhead, and
opaque projectors. As a new service, the department began loaning
videocassettes of feature films. In 1981, the library's strategic plan for the
following five years called for a regular program of art and media exhibits
in the main library gallery, as well as a system for lending art, music, and
audiovisual materials at all branches. A public hearing on the five-year plan
brought forward people who criticized the reorganization of the department
because many reference materials had been moved to the basement and had
to be requested.

Circulation of audiovisual materials increased thirty-two percent
from 1980 to 1981. A total of 32,506 records and audiocassette tapes
circulated in 1981. In 1982, 67,352 records and tapes were borrowed. The
library also loaned 6,870 framed prints, 13,048 films, and 9,046
videocassettes. At that time, the collection included nearly 25,000
phonograph records and audiocassettes, hundreds of 16mm films, more than
1,000 8mm films, 130 videocassettes, and 300,000 fine art prints, slides,
pieces of sheet music, and mounted pictures. In 1983, patrons borrowed
109,892 records and audiocassette tapes, 7,181 framed art prints, 13,644
films, and 17,721 videocassettes.

Between August 1983 and April 1984, during a general
reorganization of library services and departments, fine arts materials were
further grouped together on second floor. A remodeling project for the main
library in 1989-1990 meant that the Art, Music and Audiovisual Department
further shifted to make room for the Community Relations Department in
the middle of the north end of the 1968 main library building. By the late
1980s, videocassettes were accessible on open shelves for browsing. During
the remodeling, a Knogo security system was installed in the department to

prevent theft of materials.

The 1990s have seen a continuation of programming and materials
acquisition by the department now known as Art, Music and Audiovisual
Services. In 1990, some highlights were an antiques evaluation day, a
concert series, a slide talk, and an exhibit on the performing arts in Fort
Wayne. By December 1990, statistics indicated that the main library and its
branches housed tens of thousands of records, audiocassettes, slides, films,
and videocassettes. In 1991, exhibits on antiques and collectibles, artwork
by students of Fort Wayne Community Schools, the Hoosier Salon, Fort
Wayne buildings, editorial cartoons, and pen and ink drawings were
featured.

Along with the rest of the library system, the Art, Music and
Audiovisual Department offered its patrons access to the library's computer
catalog in the late summer of 1991. Featured in 1992 were exhibits on the
silver screen in Fort Wayne and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,
an antiques evaluation day, and Thursday concerts. Staff member Greg
Motsinger updated and published a catalog listing the library's educational
videocassettes.

The library's five-year plan for 1992-1997 suggested the following
for the department: a review of the video collection and loan policies,
focusing on issues such as the purchase of educational videos for main
library departments and branches to circulate for two weeks, an age limit for
video loans, and the future of the entertainment video collection.

Changing technology has visited this department, as all others within
the Allen County Public Library system. In 1993, the department had at
least two compact disk products. Billboard Phonolog and Music Library. At
the same time, the library was looking for someone who might want to
purchase its collection of 78 rpm records that had become obsolete. Long-
playing record albums still were part of the department's collection in 1994,
but were no longer being added. Featured in 1993 were an exhibit called
"Art After Hours," composed of artwork created by area librarians; a noon
concert featuring the traditional music of North America and the British
Isles; and an exhibit of photographs and a video on "Turkish Jews: 500
Years of Harmony. "

Business & Technology Department

The business and technical department is a barometer of the ideas that are
moving Fort Wayne.

As early as 1905, only ten years after the public library in Fort
Wayne became a reality, the administration was actively adding to the
number of technical books in the collection, with a separate business and

technical department in mind. A newspaper article published in the summer
of 1912 described the department, which was to open later that year: "At the
public library a new room is to be fitted up in the fall, in which are to be
kept a large number of new books on all subjects of special interest to men
engaged in practically every trade or business. There will be books on
factories, railroads, shops, bookkeeping, business, etc. All told there will
be several thousand volumes, and unless the library board misses its
surmise, this room will prove extremely popular."' Following several
weeks' preparation of books, catalog cards, and the beginnings of a
pamphlet collection, the Business and Municipal Department opened
November 4, 1912, in three rooms on the west side of the second floor of
the Carnegie building. Ada McCormick was in charge. She was a graduate
of Hiram College and the Pratt Institute library school. "She brought
unbounded enthusiasm to the work in this, her first library position after
several years spent in the business world. "'° McCormick was assisted by
Sarah L. Sturgis, Mabel Vogely, and Eva R. Peck.

One of the new department's rooms was the reading room, another
was the circulating room, and the third was called the "rear room," and was
used to house municipal and government publications. Some of the
government publications also were stored in the basement. At its opening,
the Business and Municipal Department boasted 1,843 volumes, eighty-one
current magazines, bound periodicals, and government publications. In
addition, the collection included an engineering periodical index and
government publications indexes. Throughout 1913, books relating to
business, technology, and some scientific subjects were moved to the new
department from other areas of the library. An increased use of and demand
for these types of materials was reported. In its first year, the department
added 314 new volumes and circulated 4,697 volumes.

In about 1914, Ada McCormick left the library to join the staff of
the Cleveland library system, and Eva R. Peck became librarian of the
Business and Municipal Department. Soon after, World War I began and the
Fort Wayne Public Library granted Peck a leave of absence so that she
could act as first assistant librarian at Camp Mills, Long Island, New York,
during the war. Another event during these years was the centennial
celebration of Indiana statehood in 1916. One of two library exhibits for this
celebration featured the work of what may have been called by then the
Business and Technical Department. It is not known exactly when the title

'"This Is a Popular Place," Fort Wayne newspaper, July 1912.

'°Eva R. Peck, "History of the Business and Technical Department of
the Fort Wayne Public Library," unpublished typescript manuscript dated
1932, 1.

of the department was changed from the Business and Municipal
Department, but the change occurred before 1930. Librarians reported that
booklists given out in conjunction with the centennial exhibit resulted in
questions long after the celebration was over. Before 1920, department
personnel began collecting vacation literature. The practice continued until

1931, when it was taken over by the main circulating department. Another
collection begun in the Business and Technical Department before 1920 was
of nursery and seed catalogs. Beginning in 1920 and continuing at least until

1932, inventories were taken every year in the department.

As early as 1923, personnel in the Business and Technical
Department were answering reference questions by telephone. Peck was
noted as a librarian who was particularly trained for the specialized service
provided in the department. In 1926, the staff numbered three full-time
workers, and by 1928, the collection included more than 10,000 books,
pamphlets, and periodicals; two technically trained librarians; and several
part-time assistants. Their duties included answering the reference questions
of visiting and telephoning patrons, circulation duties, compilation of lists
of book and magazine references for patrons, the care of government
publications, and routine library work. During the previous decade, the
circulation in the Business and Technical Department had increased more
than 125 percent, from 6,703 volumes in 1917 to 15,110 volumes in 1927.

A letter sent to the Business Libraries section of the American
Library Association in 1929 described the department. It was then open 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Its three rooms
included a reading room, which housed current and bound periodicals
pertaining to subjects pertinent to the department; a circulating room, which
contained recently published and most-used books, the charging desk, and
the card catalog; and the work room, which also was used for shelving
additional books and pamphlets. The collection included books, pamphlets,
government publications, clippings, literature relating to the industries and
trades represented in Fort Wayne, a large number of commercial directories,
guides, and reference books. The department's main problem, the letter
pointed out, was universal - trying to make one dollar do the work of five.
In that year, about 25,000 people used the reading room of the Business and
Technical Department.

In 1931, with a staff of "slightly over two and a half,"" the
department circulated 18,827 volumes. Staff work included writing more
than 3,000 post cards and letters, and accessioning and filing more than
4,900 government publications. The book stock by January 1932 included
5,516 volumes, not counting bound periodicals and government publications.
One of the newer collections was of Indiana publications. Staff members

"Ibid. 3.

created exhibits for various events in the area, including flower shows and
Real Estate Week, as well as poultry, rabbit, dog, and other shows. It was
noted that in 1932, the librarians did not spend as much time on reference
work as previously. They preferred to focus on quality, rather than quantity
of this type of work, and made indices and other resources directly available
to patrons so that they could help themselves. In that year, more than
35,000 people used the reading room and circulation increased by eighteen
percent over 1931. Included in the collection were telephone directories of
150 cities, including all Indiana towns with populations of more than 5,000.

The Business and Technical Department continued to thrive during
the Great Depression as it provided the materials for people to learn new
trades, repair broken household machinery, etc. One man reported that he
learned to make an iceless refrigerator with the help of materials from the
department. In 1934, the department had its own listing in the city directory,
and in the first six months of 1935, its circulation was 12,633. During the
first six months of 1936, circulation from the Business and Technical
Department dropped slightly to 12,238, but attendance, at 20,608 people,
was up more than 2,000 over what it had been in the first six months of
1935. Eva R. Peck was head of the Business and Technical Department until
at least 1934, and resigned from the library in October 1937.

During World War II, the Business and Technical Department
expanded rapidly as war workers visited the library to gain technical
information about their new jobs. By the 1950s, this expansion had caused
crowding. A newspaper article noted in 1951 that "It sprawled around
several rooms and had books stached [sic] in all sorts of nooks and
crannies."'^ At times, it was reported in 1956, the reading room had been
full to capacity and its overflow extended into the hall. New topics were
causing a need for more and more books, and questions asked during this
time period often covered the subjects of space travel, rocket propulsion,
automation, and nuclear engineering. A new development in the department
was a Cormac photocopying machine. In 1956, the library acquired a 12-
room building on Webster Street across the alley from the main library
building, and during the next two years, plans were made to move the
Record Room and Children's Room into this facility. These moves would
make room to relocate the Business and Technical Department to the first
floor, where it would have twenty-seven percent more space, and patrons
would not have to climb stairs to use its resources. With the additional
space, it was hoped to considerably increase the department's holdings in
physics, astronomy, astronautics, chemistry, electronics, and other currently
popular topics. Since Sputnik I's entry into space, the department had begun
subscribing to twenty-seven new scientific periodicals. The move took place

'^Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence."

•

during the summer of 1958.

Newly located on the ground floor in the eariy 1960s, the Business
and Technical Department was rated as one of the best in the state. In 1961 ,
its services were similar to those of the general reference department, but
on more specific subject matter: business, science and technical fields,
industrial arts, applied sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Also
available in the department were government documents, current newspapers
and periodicals on microform or microcards, and telephone directories of
many cities. Pages from non-circulating materials could be photocopied for
a fee. Complementing the collection of current telephone directories was the
addition of copies of all R.L. Polk & Co. city directories through an
agreement with that company in 1965. Outdated directories became the
property of the Historical Genealogy Department, while the most current
issues of the directories were housed in the Business Department through
1993. Today, all city directories are housed in the storage area of the
Historical Genealogy Department, with the exception of the most current
editions for Indiana cities, which remain in the Business and Technology
Department.

During the construction of the new main library building in the mid-
to late- 1960s, services of the Business and Technical Department were
relocated to the Purdue Building at the comer of Jefferson Boulevard and
Barr Street, with the majority of other public service operations of the main
library. Myron Snyder was the manager of the department at this time. He
began as a library employee as early as 1948, was working in the Business
and Technical Department by at least 1951, and remained manager of the
department through his retirement in 1979. He was followed as department
manager by Wes Avins and John Nichols Dickmeyer. Some of the
specialized subjects offered in the department at the time of its opening on
the main floor of the new building included law, investments, public
administration, taxation, landscape gardening, architecture, and
photography. A staircase in the department descended to the new
government documents reading room below in the basement.

Use of the Business and Technical Department increased through the
1960s and 1970s. A 1971 newspaper article noted that "the public library
here carries a more comprehensive listing of securities than local brokerage
houses, together with resumes of the firms' structures."'^ The number of
reference questions answered by staff members in the Business and
Technical Department during the two decades of the 1960s and 1970s
demonstrates the agency's growing popularity:

2,716 reference questions were answered in 1963

''"Public Library Known Better Afar than Home!"

2,856 ■ •• " 1964

2,405 " " " " " 1965

4,401 " " 1967

12,225 " 1972

12,168 " " " " " 1974

In 1963 or 1964, the Government Documents Division was
separated from Business and Technology. The areas were reunited during
a general library reorganization in 1983. The library participated in a
strategic planning process in 1980, which called for a ten percent increase
in the amount of business materials added to the collection over a five-year
period.

A changing world has continuously meant keeping abreast of the
most current topics in this department. For example, a concern in 1982 was
the recession and high unemployment rates. For that reason, many patrons
visited the Business and Technology Department searching job listings in
newspapers from other parts of the country, particularly Houston, Dallas,
and other "Sun Belt" cities that were growing at that time and had jobs
available. Another reflection of changing society: The most requested book
in the Government Documents section from August 1981 to August 1982
was How to Do Your Own Divorce in Indiana.

A general reorganization of library services that took place between
August 1983 and April 1984 under Director Rick J. Ashton formally
combined the two related areas of Business and Technology and Government
Documents. Other changes that occurred in the decade of the 1980s were the
advent of online computer searching, which was becoming more common
as a service to patrons by late 1988; the establishment of the Business,
Science, and Technology Endowment Fund by the Foundation Board of
Trustees in 1989; and the creation of the position of Business Specialist,
soon filled by former department manager, John Nichols Dickmeyer. This
position was created to provide one-on-one assistance to business people
with highly specialized needs or lengthy projects. Dickmeyer was a library
employee as early as 1966, and managed the Business and Technology
Department prior to the current manager, Susan Riehm Goshom, who
succeeded to the position in 1990.

By 1990, the Business and Technology Department regularly
provided the services of telephone reference and computer database
searching, and specialized in such topics as business management,
economics, transportation, engineering, agriculture, home economics, and
construction. Another service was the annual distribution of income tax
forms. In 1990, 60,000 forms were distributed. Although staff members do
not answer tax questions, a program called "Tax Help" is offered each year
at the library and various branches.

Technological advances of course have affected the department

named Business and Technology. In September 1990, Fax Central became
operational. This was an in-house delivery system designed to make
periodical articles or other information available immediately to the branch
libraries from the main library. By the 1990s, non-fiction books on business
and technical subjects became obsolete almost as soon as they were
published. Patrons looked for the most current information on topics of
interest in periodicals, online computer databases, or compact disks. CD-
ROMs hold millions of pieces of information and some are updated monthly
or more often. One CD-ROM product received in 1992 was Health
Reference Center, a service of InfoTrac. This resource locates articles to
answer patrons' questions on health matters. By March 1993, the department
had at least nine CD-ROM products, including ABI/INFORM (citations and
abstracts covering business topics). County & City Data Book, County
Business Patterns, General BusinessFile, GPO Monthly Catalog (index to
government publications). Health Reference Center, National Trade Data
Bank (trade information, import-export data, country studies), 1990 census
statistics, and Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (routine and accidental
releases of toxic chemicals). In the fall of 1991, the library system's online
catalog became available to patrons in the Business and Technology
Department.

One of the fastest growing areas of inquiry in the Business and
Technology Department is law, according to Manager Susan Riehm
Goshom, and the Allen County Public Library has a fine law collection.

Government Documents

In 1896, only a year after its establishment, the public library
became a depository for public, or government, documents. The
Brackenridge building, which was the library's home beginning in 1898, had
one room devoted to government publications that contained more than 600
volumes.

In 1916 in the Carnegie building, workers installed a partition in the
hallway on the second floor, built shelves, and thus created some much-
needed space for additional shelving of government publications, many of
which were then moved up from the basement. In 1925, staff began detailed
rearrangement of the basement publications, grouping them by department
and bureau. However, they could spare only a few hours per week to devote
to the project.

Work of the Business and Municipal Department in 1931 included
the accessioning and filing of more than 4,900 government publications. In
1935, a newspaper article lauded the library's status as a collector of
government documents: "The proceedings, acts, investigations, reports,
hearings and plans of government agencies must in a democracy be
preserved and open to inspection. It is not necessary for them to be
preserved in every community. Yet in Fort Wayne there is never a day

during which people for commercial reasons as well as academic or factious
curiosity do not have occasion to consult some of our Government
documents."''*

At some point about the mid-1950s, the library acquired
microfilming equipment and filmed 20,000,000 pages of public documents,
reducing the amount of storage space needed for these materials. The
library's annual report in 1956 noted that the use of government documents
had shown a constant and steady growth over the years. At that time, the
move of the Children's and Record Rooms to a nearby building was being
planned and this reorganization would allow expansion of the government
documents section of the library.

The number of volumes of bound government documents showed
tremendous growth throughout the 1960s:

In 1961, the library had 33,000 volumes

" 1963, 38,395 "

" 1964, 40,767 "

" 1965, 41,007 "

" 1967, 53,639 or 58,421 volumes

In 1963 or 1964, the Government Documents Division was
separated from the Business and Technology Department. Although a survey
prior to the opening of the new library building in the late 1960s suggested
that the Government Documents area should "be the responsibility of the
Business and Technology Department rather than of a separate Documents
unit,"'^ the area was not reunited with Business and Technology until a
general reorganization of library services in 1983-1984.

A project to classify the Government Documents collection and
make it more accessible to patrons was begun in the mid-1960s and was
nearly completed by 1967. In the new main library building, which opened
in 1968, the Government Documents reading room was located in the
basement down a staircase from the Business and Technical Department. In
1972, William H. Crane, manager of the Government Documents section,
reported an increased use of the department's reading room. During the
early 1970s, the library received as many as seven hundred pieces of mail
from the Government Printing Office daily, covering topics ranging from
committee hearings to Native Americans. By 1972, the collection numbered
74,209 bound volumes. This number increased to 83,516 volumes by 1974.

"*"Potterf Traces Growth of Library System in City."

'^Library Building Consultants, Inc., Survey of the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County, 1964, 31.

In 1980, the Government Documents reading room and law library,
still on the basement level, received more space for their ever-growing
collections through a reorganization. Plans for the addition to the main
library, opened in 1981, called for expanding the Government Documents
area in the basement and providing access to elevators. By early 1982, the
Government Documents collection had grown to more than 200,000 items
on the federal, state, and local level.

As a theft-prevention measure, during the late 1980s and early
1990s, Allen County Public Library materials were given a type of mark
that produced a signal if they were taken through the facility's security gate
without being checked out. In 1993, with the bulk of the circulating
collection marked, a library volunteer began putting marks in the
government documents. In 1991, library staff members began composing a
strategic plan to guide the facility through its next five years. Included in
this plan was the goal of adding records to the automated catalog that were
not accessible through it to date. One type of records targeted were
government documents.

According to Business and Technology Department Manager Susan
Riehm Goshom, the Government Documents Division of the department
contains more than two million items on almost every subject imaginable,
available in various formats. During the 1970s, the library began receiving
government publications on microfiche that it formerly received in print
form; in the 1990s, the preferred medium is electronic, such as CD-ROM
computer disks. Soon, Goshom predicted, dial-in access to government
information may be available.

Guidance Center for Hearing & Speech

In 1969, the Business and Technical Department established the
Guidance Center for Hearing and Speech. This special collection of
materials was funded by the Hutner Foundation and included books,
pamphlets, and training materials for parents and teachers of hearing-
handicapped children. The Center's goal was to emphasize the need for
early help for the hearing impaired child. In 1970, the Guidance Center for
Hearing and Speech was broadened to include reading information in the
areas of neurological and other related multiple-perceptual handicaps.
Training kits for parents and teachers could be borrowed. The collection
was believed to be the first such program in the country. Inquiries were
received from England, Holland, and across the Unitexi States. The center
was no longer in existence by 1980.

Drugs & Drug Abuse Collection

In 1971, a section of seven shelves in the Business and Technical
Department was devoted to a collection of books on drugs and drug abuse.
This supplemented the more than 150 books on drug-related topics the

library already owned. Sixty-three new volumes were purchased with a $500
donation from the Fort Wayne Junior League.

■Tob Information Center

In 1982, in response to the recession and tight economic times
locally, the Job Information Center was created. It housed a wealth of
information on jobs, job-finding, training, education, and business
opportunities. The collection was heavily used.

Flood Protection Library

In 1991, the Business and Technology Department began to house
a library of flood materials supplied by the Maumee River Basin
Commission and other sources. This was part of a program to help the city
reduce flood insurance rates, and the materials were stored in the basement.
The flood protection library consisted of documents, maps related to flood
control, flood-proofing of residential structures, and flood insurance.

Children's Services

The canniest statistician could never estimate the delights and joys that have
their beginning in the children 's room.

From 1901 to 1904, while the Carnegie library building was being
constructed, library services were housed in the Elektron building on East
Berry Street. It was there that a comer or small room was first set aside
especially for children's books. Head Librarian Margaret M. Colerick had
wanted a children's room for the library for a long time before it was
established, but was not able to begin one because of financial constraints.
In the Brackenridge building, prior to the move to the Elektron building,
books that corresponded with the subjects children were studying in the local
schools were kept in the reference room. Some children's programming also
took place before there was a Children's Room. In November 1898, library
assistants planned a "hero party," to which all children in the city were
invited. Pictures of heroes were posted on the walls, and books and papers
referring to them were on the tables.

The Children's Room quickly became a success. In 1903, the Head
Librarian found it "gratifying to note that the largest percentage of this use
of the room is by pupils of the schools, with whom a great amount of
reference work has been done during the past year."'^ Upon the library's
move into the new Carnegie building, a room was set aside for children's

'^Colerick, History of the Public Library, 4.

materials. In 1907, the Children's Department had 2,500 juvenile books,
807 borrowers, a circulation of 27,000, and a trained children's librarian in
the person of Laura M. Sikes. Early activities included school visits and
story hours. Sikes later said, "We started modestly and without fanfare,
realizing that the work would be more stable that way and knowing that with
good books and an attractive room, it would grow ... into something fine
anduseftil.'"'

Sikes did not long remain at the public library in Fort Wayne. She
was followed as children's librarian by Laure Claire Foucher about 1908 or
1909. Programming during those years included a Halloween celebration
with decorations and storytelling by pumpkin and lantern light, two weekly
story hours for different aged children, and a celebration of the anniversary
of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen. Foucher believed in publicity and
endeavored to make the Children's Room well known in the community.
She left the library system in 1909. Helen Jackson took charge of the
Children's Room between librarians. In August 1910, Marian A. Webb
came to Fort Wayne to be children's librarian. She soon reorganized the
Children's Department. Little publicity was attempted at first for the
Children's Room, because Webb did not want to attract crowds of children
that the staff could not handle. Through her work in Brooklyn and New
York City, she had seen library children's areas so crowded that children
were pushed out onto the street and did not want that to happen in Fort
Wayne. Her goals were an attractive room, a good collection of books, and
a competent staff.

In 1913, children had to be able to sign their own names before
receiving a library card. Children younger than fourteen who were
registered numbered 1,085 and juvenile circulation was 80,945. By 1914,
it was not uncommon to have one hundred or more children aged four to ten
for Saturday morning story hours. In 1916, work done with children at the
main library was the subject of an exhibit during the Indiana statehood
centennial celebration.

By the early 1920s, the Children's Room had increased its activities
and business considerably as compared with those first few years in the
Elektron building. The department was providing reference service and
hundreds of children visited each day. On a busy Saturday, it was not
uncommon for the Children's Department to circulate more than six hundred
books. The collection at this time numbered 21,183 volumes at the main
library. The department featured a current events bulletin board, posters,
pamphlets, displays of books on specific themes, magazines, reading lists.

'^Marian A. Webb, "The History of the Children's Room of the Fort
Wayne Public Library, 1907-1909 [and] 1910-1950," unpublished
manuscript, circa 1950, 2.

The Children's Room in the Carn^ie building.

stereoscopic views, and an alcove for parents to read aloud to their children.
As part of the library's service to children, books also were provided to
playgrounds, public schools, some parochial schools, day nurseries, the
synagogue, Pixley Relief Home, the Allen County orphan's home, Irene
Byron Hospital, and the girls' detention home. In 1921, the department had
21,267 volumes and a circulation of 184,313.

The 1920s were a period of growth for the Children's Room. In
1922, Gail Calmerton, primary supervisor for the public schools, donated
about 1,500 juvenile books to the department for use in the public schools.
This donation was known as the Gail Calmerton Collection. In 1923, the
Children's Room performed grade school and high school reference work.

The Good Book Diploma program was initiated in 1924, and was
the precursor of today's Summer Reading Program. Children who read ten
books from vacation reading lists received a Good Books Diploma. Nineteen
children received a diploma by June 16 of that year, only a few weeks after
school was dismissed. Herbert and Mearle Corville of Hoagland were the
first to receive their diplomas. As many as five hundred children were
expected to qualify by the end of the summer. By 1928, the vacation reading
lists were prepared in the form of a treasure hunt with clues, and children
were encouraged to read twenty books for a Gold Star Diploma. That year,
223 children received diplomas, of which 131 were Gold Star Diplomas. In
previous years, the total number of children receiving diplomas averaged
about 131.

In an attempt to reach children in every part of the city with library

books in the late 1920s, the Children's Room accessioned, pocketed,
catalogued, and labeled juvenile books for the main library, five city
branches, school room deposits, and deposits at organizations such as the
YWCA, YMCA, Scouts, Girl Reserves, summer camps, vacation bible
schools, and city playgrounds. In 1928, school room deposits alone
contained 25,652 books. Department staff also mended worn books,
discarded books, and sent volumes to the bindery. Pictures were mounted
and classified for the picture collection, which in 1928 numbered 39,320
pictures. The Children's Room also purchased and catalogued juvenile books
for the book wagon following its establishment in 1929.

Former employee Bob Masbaum remembered working in the
Children's Room during the 1940s. His duties included taking a turn at the
checkout desk, reading the shelves to ensure books remained in the correct
call number order, clipping pictures from magazines and newspapers, and
performing some book repair and cleaning. "In addition to the above, my
job also required my going to a number of schools around the city to check
in books and assess the condition of the books. I think this required about
three or more hours each day and the rest of my time was spent at the main
library .... The library would provide me with a street-car pass as this was
my only transportation. My pay at the time was 25 cents per hour.'"^

In 1956, the library purchased a twelve-room dwelling on Webster
Street across the alley from the main library at 918-920 South Webster
Street. In 1958, following some remodeling, the Phonograph Record Room
and the Children's Room moved into this annex to ease the crowded
conditions in the Carnegie building. The Children's Room apparently had
experienced some decline in business by this time. It was noted in the 1956
library annual report that the room was "now patronized by only a few
children and their parents who live in the immediate vicinity of the Main
Library,"" possibly because of increased business at the branches.
However, business in the Children's Room boomed during the summers,
and the 1956 annual report recommended adding five or six light
bookmobiles to stretch facilities. The five branches and the main library
Children's Room were too few and too small for the demands of 25,000
children during the summer months, the report said. Also contrary to the
idea that the Children's Room - or at least service to children - was
suffering from a lack of patronage, an article in 1957 noted that, "Above
all, we are a children's Library. We circulate more than 1,000,000 volumes
to children under the age of 14. About 40,000 school children in the public

'*Bob Masbaum correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1994.

^'^Sixty-Third Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County [1956], 24.

and parochial schools borrow heavily from the Library."'*

In its new quarters in the building next door to the main library, the
Children's Room had books arranged by age and special interest collections.
It had its own catalog, and books in the juvenile catalog were not listed in
the main library's catalog. Ethel Johnson was the librarian in the Children's
Room by 1963. Marian Webb had left in about 1950.

The Children's Room moved again within the decade, this time to
the Hollywood building at 220-222 West Berry Street. Vacation of the
Washington Annex was necessary because that structure was to be razed to
make room for the new main library building. Plans were made in the mid-
1960s for the arrangement of departments within the new building which
was then under construction. A story hours room for children was one of the
planned features. Upon its opening in the new building in June 1968, the
Children's Room became the Marian A. Webb Room to honor the former
children's librarian, who had served for forty years.

The Children's Room was located just south of the main entrance
in the new building. It contained colorful furniture and shelving scaled to
children's size, and a story hours alcove that would fit thirty children at a
time. Story hours were held frequently. Staff members were available to
help children, parents, and teachers select books and materials. By February
1969, circulation in the Children's Department had increased five hundred
percent since the move into the new building, "simply because people now
know where the department is,"^' Head Librarian Fred Reynolds said. The
department loaned more than 10,000 books per month by 1969.

Throughout the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Ethel
Johnson was manager of the Children's Department. A graduate of
Southside High School, Indiana University, and the University of Illinois,
she was a library staff member for a total of forty-four years before her
retirement in 1981.

In January 1980, Fort Wayne children were treated to a new service
- Dial-a-Story. Children could dial a "magic" number at any hour and
automatically be connected to a tape recording of a story, lasting about four
minutes, and changed every day. Some of the stories featured on the
recordings were "Three Billy Goats Gruff," "The Elves and the
Shoemaker," and "Sleeping Beauty." Also included on the recording was an
invitation to the child to attend one of the library's scheduled story hours.
A goal of Dial-a-Story was to attract children into the library and to reading.
The telephone number for Dial-a-Story was not generally announced;

^"25,000 Books Arrive to Restock Flooded Libraries."

^' Carol Heyn, "Librarian Points Out Funds Need," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Feb. 25, 1969.

children had to visit the main library or a branch to get it.

Circulation rose by seventeen percent for the first six months of
1980, and by forty-six percent in June 1980. The high numbers in June were
attributed partly to the library's Summer Reading Program, which by that
time attracted about 4,000 school children. In 1981, the number of books
loaned during the Summer Reading Program again increased, this time by
more than twenty-seven percent over the same two months in 1980. Program
events in 1981 included hot air balloon rides for participating children, as
well as parties at the main library and branches. Children participating in the
Summer Reading Program in 1981 numbered 4,880, and sixty-two percent
of them read more than ten books. In 1982, 6,662 children were involved
in the program, a thirty-seven percent increase from 1981, and sixty-three
percent read more than ten books. During the summer of 1983, 6,042
children participated in the Summer Reading Program, a drop of nine
percent from 1982.

In 1985, the number had shot up to 9,670, which was up sixteen
percent from 1984. For the first time, parents were encouraged to read to
their pre-reading children as a part of the Summer Reading Program. In
1986, 10,859 participated in the Summer Reading Program; in 1988, 1 1 ,1 18
children participated; and in 1989, 9,219 children participated.

The Summer Reading Program was not the only activity of the busy
Children's Department during the 1980s. In 1981, the library system
underwent a process of self-evaluation in order to create a plan for the
following five years. Two proposed goals were to increase by eight percent
per year for each of the following five years the number of items circulated
to children, and the creation of storytelling workshops for parents. In
November 1981, the main library and branches began offering Sick Kid
Kits. These were plastic bags filled with constructive, fun activities, such as
library books, a puzzle, comic books, magazines, molding clay, and toys.
This service is no longer available. A new toy-lending service was
introduced in 1982. The library stocked 200 educational toys focusing on
reading readiness, language, mathematics, and dramatic play. In 1983, the
library hosted its First Annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Day. The celebration
took place each year in February, the month of Wilder' s birth, through at
least 1986. Some of the featured activities were displays, craft
demonstrations, a melodrama by children, films, and folk music.

In 1982, storytelling fever was sweeping the country and Children's
Services Manager Cindy K. Woodruff attended the National Storytelling
Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. She came back with ideas for hosting
the library's own storytelling events. The first of these featured storytellers
at Franke Park Day Camp in June 1983. Since then, the annual Storytelling
Festival, begun in 1991 and held at the library and Franke Park's Foellinger
Theater, has become a success. Local and nationally-known storytellers are
featured. The Third-Annual Storytelling Festival in 1993 featured concerts

as well as storytelling at the main library auditorium, First Presbyterian
Theater, and the Foellinger Theater.

Other popular Children's Services programming during the 1990s
has included the continuation of the Summer Reading Program, and the
annual poetry contest. In 1990, the theme of the Summer Reading Program
was "Explore New Worlds." A space shuttle scientist was a guest speaker.
In 1992, the Summer Reading Program was introduced to children in the
local schools in an innovative way - on videotape. The theme for the 1993
Summer Reading Program was "Tune into the Library." Topics were music,
juggling, and Clifford (the Big Red Dog). As usual, a system-wide party
was the finale of the Summer Reading Program. The annual poetry contest
attracts more than 1,000 children's and young adult entries each year. In
1990, the theme was "The Earth Belongs to Everyone!" In 1991, 1,600
young people sent in entries from seventy-five area schools.

Children's Services was officially without a manager from
Woodruffs departure in 1990 until Mary Voors was hired as manager in
January of 1994. Voors, a longtime staff member of the department, had
been acting manager before her promotion. In 1992, the position of
Children's Coordinator for the entire library system was created and Sharon
Harvey was hired for this position. Department activities in the 1990s have
included story hours, craft programs, movies, puppet events, parent
programs, vacation film festivals, preschool fire safety workshops, spring
break activities, zoo visits, library treasure hunts, and preschool computer
workshops. Some of the story hours are bedtime story hours, for which
children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas. A special activity
took place in July 1991, when a robin moth was hatched from a cocoon in
Children's Services. In October of that year, former Children's Services
employee Ruth Cardenas did bilingual storytelling for Hispanic Heritage
Day.

Children's Services has experienced a number of changes during the
past ten years. In 1988-1989, it underwent a major renovation along with
the rest of the main library and gained additional space no longer needed by
Circulation Services, which was undergoing automation. In August 1991,
Children's Services patrons gained access to the library's computerized
catalog. The library's strategic plan for 1992 to 1997 included some
objectives for Children's Services, including offering library programs that
encouraged library use and promoted library resources and services, with
a special emphasis on children's programming; and expanding and
improving Summer Reading Programs to make them premiere educational
events for the community. A special resource of Children's Services is a
compact disk computer product called "Mammals," which provides pictures,
sounds, and information about mammals.

The Children's Services collection contains more than 30,000
volumes, including board and cloth books for infants, picture books for

preschoolers, books for primary readers, fiction for elementary -aged
children, and a parent-teacher collection for adults. It also includes non-
fiction for all levels and subject areas, as well as biographies, ready
reference books, and encyclopedias. Braille and large-print books, records,
audiocassettes, media kits, toys, pamphlets, travel kits and magazines are
some of the specialized resources of the Children's Department. Computers
and teaching games are an advent of recent years. Programs and services of
Children's Services include visiting schools, day care centers, and festivals;
tours of the department and the library; storytelling; Dial-a-Story; extended
loans to institutions and organi2:ations; outreach programs; and workshops
on storytelling, puppetry children's literature, and reading as a family.

Historical Genealogy Department

One of the most extensive genealogy departments in the world . . .

In April 1903, members of Fort Wayne's Mary Penrose Wayne
chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution
voted to send a letter to the local library, seeking space on the facility's
shelves for some of the Society's lineage books and other historical works,
so that the public could use them for reference and research. The
corresponding secretary received a favorable reply from the library. In
1928, DAR member Sue Vesta Hanna willed twenty-three books from her
personal collection to the library. She asked in her bequest that the DAR set
aside a day on which each member would contribute a book of genealogy,
biographical history, or family lineage data to be placed in the library. In
all, the DAR shelves, as they were called, eventually contained about four
hundred books, including lineage books, scrapbooks, genealogies, and Bert
J. Griswold's The Pictorial History of Fort Wayne. Indiana. From this
nucleus of books grew what would later become the Fred J. Reynolds
Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library, one
of the nation's most renowned genealogy collections.

In 1935, the year Rex M. Potterf became Head Librarian of the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, questions fielded by the
facility's reference department varied from the words to a Negro spiritual
to the paternity of a remote maternal ancestor. "Genealogy and local history
are favorite pursuits and the facilities for such researches are good,"^^ he
said in an article in a local newspaper. When Potterf s administration began,
the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression, and funds were tight.
Potterf decided to fill the shelves of the public library with used books.

^^" Potterf Traces Growth of Library System in City.

During a period of fifteen years, Potterf and library employee Fred
Reynolds traveled all over the Midwest, as far west as western Kansas,
visiting second-hand book stores and buying all kinds of books for their
library. They bought fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. Both men
had an interest in the history of Fort Wayne, and in local history in general.
They were able to buy late-lSOOs county histories for "a dollar or two"
during the 1940s. They also bought genealogy and local history periodicals
from the ISOOs. The county chronologies, town histories, and city
directories they purchased were rebound and, with the books from the DAR
shelves, became the core of the genealogy collection when it was formed in
1961.

By 1956, the library's collection of genealogical material was
experiencing increased use, but at that time, the administration decided
against making a formal commitment to collecting genealogical material on
a large scale. "Although our collection is small (by comparison with that of
the State Library it is insignificant), it does not seem feasible to attempt to
increase it except by acquiring certain standard tools, and by accepting
occasional gifts of family histories," Rex Potterf said. "To provide countless
family histories by purchase, would seem an endless task and would pose
a severe storage problem. Patrons are always referred to the Indiana State
Library for further investigation of their needs, if their requirements involve
materials not in our holdings. "^^ He also reported that there had been
increased usage of microfilm in 1956 - probably newspapers and magazines
- and that sometimes the library's three microfilm readers were in use at
once. By contrast, today's microtext clerks in the Historical Genealogy
Department often have to resort to a waiting list because all of the more
than fifty microfilm readers are in use at once.

Potterf retired in 1959 and Reynolds became Head Librarian.
Shortly thereafter, the local chapter of the DAR again became involved in
developing a collection of materials for genealogists. Member Cleo Goff
Wilkens urged the library administration to "do something for the
genealogists."^ Thus it was that early in his administration, Reynolds
began developing collections and services for genealogists, and the Indiana
History and Genealogy Room began January 3, 1961 in a comer of the
Carnegie library building. "Adults desiring help on genealogical questions
or desiring the use of old city directories, city and county histories, and the

^^Sixty-Third Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County [1956], 5.

^David G. MacLean, "Fort Wayne Public Library's Genealogy
Collection," The Book-Mart 2 (August 1978): 33-40.

like should apply here,"^ a 1961 library brochure said of the genealogy
reference area. From the beginning, the genealogy collection has operated
with closed stacks - patrons request books with call slips and staff members
retrieve them.

In an article in the Summer 1983 issue of Library Trends, former
Allen County Public Library director Rick Ashton noted that upon forming
a genealogy collection, Reynolds "did not seek to justify the library's
service to genealogists on the usual ground that genealogists are taxpayers
like everyone else. Rather, he based the commitment on the idea that
genealogy was a field worthy of pursuit by the public library, and that
excellent collections and services would attract users. "^*^ He offered the
position of head of the growing department to Wilkens, but she declined
because of other commitments. Instead, Dorothy M. Lower became the first
manager of the Historical Genealogy Department.

Reynolds was instrumental in expanding the genealogy collection
from the nucleus of about four hundred DAR books to more than 100,000
volumes during his tenure. It is somewhat ironic that the man who was
largely responsible for building one of the nation's most renowned
genealogy collections - a collection that now bears his name - has no
personal affinity for genealogy. In a recent interview, Reynolds said that the
line on his surname already has been traced (he is descended from the R.J.
Reynolds tobacco family), and that family history does not interest him.

After the establishment of a genealogy collection separate from the
main book collection, once again the local DAR stepped in and offered its
services. The chapter passed a resolution at its June 1961 meeting to
contribute to the success of the newly-formed Genealogy Department by
offering to Reynolds permission to copy any records that had been compiled
by the chapter to be used as trade stock for materials the library did not
own. Chapter members hoped that this would result in substantial gains in
material for the genealogy collection.

In the early days of his tenure as Head Librarian, Reynolds focused
his energy on the development of the Genealogy Department. This was a
challenge, since books on the subject were not yet being widely published.
The staff had little success in expanding the collection by purchasing books
in these early days. To achieve success, Reynolds and his staff turned to
unorthodox collection methods, such as the trading of duplicate materials
with other repositories, and photocopying arrangements.

One of these arrangements was with the Newberry Library in

^^"This Is Your Library," Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County brochure, circa 1961, 2.

^•^ Ashton, "A Commitment to Excellence in Genealogy," 92.

Chicago. Many of that facility's genealogy books were fragile and suffering
from overuse. Reynolds and Joseph C. Wolf, Curator of Newberry's Local
and Family History Collection, devised a scheme by which books from
Newberry were driven in station wagons from Chicago and photocopied
twice on acid-free semi-rag paper bought by the carload. One copy of each
book went into the growing genealogy collection of the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County, while the original and the second photocopy
were returned to Newberry. This arrangement benefitted both facilities:
Fort Wayne received low-cost, sometimes rare books for its collection, and
Newberry could retire its original, fragile books to storage, while allowing
patrons to use the sturdier photocopies. Between 15,000 and 30,000 of the
Newberry Library's books were copied. Photocopying occurred day and
night and was done primarily by local business and technical college
students. By June 1972, library employee Kenneth Lauer had logged fifty-
two round trips to Chicago in the library's Ford station wagon in connection
with this project and, according to Reynolds, the Fort Wayne Public Library
had virtually everything Newberry had.

In the library's 1974 annual report, Reynolds expressed his
appreciation to cooperating institutions who had loaned the library many out-
of-print titles for its copying project. The Newberry Library was the single
largest source. Others included Bluffton, Haverford, and Swarthmore
colleges, the Iowa State Library, the National Genealogical Society, and the
Flint, Michigan, and Wichita, Kansas, Public Libraries. Reynolds said it
was hoped that future ventures of this nature would "uncover a treasure
trove for the reproduction of rare and out-of-print books seldom found
through the book trade. "^^ Since then, other libraries and facilities have
joined with the Allen County Public Library in similar arrangements,
including the library of the National Society of Daughters of the American
Revolution in Washington, D.C. One arrangement between the local library
and another large genealogical facility that did not take place was proposed
in 1966. The Board of Trustees in November of that year denied a request
by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to establish the Historical
Genealogy Department as one of its branches.

By 1965, Reynolds and Lower had gathered into the growing
genealogy collection the county histories and other genealogy-related
material from the rest of the library, and purchased all available United
States Federal Census microfilm. In that year, Reynolds negotiated an
arrangement with R.L. Polk & Co. Directory Company and the American
Association of Directory Publishers to receive one copy of each city
directory the companies published. The library agreed to pay shipping costs

^^Fred J. Reynolds, "From the Librarian," Eighty-First Annual Report,
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County [1974].

for the 1,000 to 1,500 books. This arrangement continues today. No other
library, except the Library of Congress, has as extensive a collection of
these volumes.

In 1967, the Historical Genealogy Department, along with all other
departments housed in the Carnegie library building, moved temporarily to
the nearby Purdue Building, located at the comer of Jefferson Boulevard and
Barr Street, during construction of the current main library building. The
collection, described in 1968, consisted of primary and secondary source
materials for the study of American and foreign local history, genealogy and
heraldry, such as publications of historical, archaeological, and patriotic
societies; civil, legal, and ecclesiastical records; handbooks, bibliographies,
and atlases; family histories; current and bound periodicals; directories;
considerable microfilm holdings; census and pension records; marriage,
deed, tax, and probate records; and passenger lists.

At its meeting January 25, 1971, the Fort Wayne Public Library
Board of Trustees, in a unanimous decision, officially renamed the contents
of the genealogy room the "Reynolds Historical Genealogy Collection" in
recognition of the head librarian's "interest and hard work in building the
collection."^* Board member Allan J. Tremper commented on Reynolds'
pride and joy in the collection. Reynolds called it "one of the five best in the
country," and, referring to his future retirement, said although he wished he
could look forward to building the collection for another ten to fifteen years,
"I can do a lot in three or four years. "^

In 1976, the Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department occupied
more than 6,000 square feet on the northeast side of the second floor. The
collection was especially strong in Indiana and Midwestern local history, but
also featured holdings for all states and some foreign countries, especially
England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Equipment included microfilm,
microcard, and microfiche readers and coin-operated photocopy machines.

Also in 1976, a dictionary card catalog "of university caliber" was
maintained for public and staff use. It offered an author, subject, and title
approach to the book collection. Available in the department were a heraldry
card index, genealogy reference tools, and extensive files of bound
periodicals. Copies cost ten cents (the same as in 1994). Microfilm copies
were fifteen cents (they are now twenty cents). If copies of specific pages
from books or microfilm were needed, department staff members would
answer mail requests. Librarians performed some brief reference work by

^^Robert D. Anderson, "Historical Genealogy Collection, Fort Wayne
Public Library ..,," Journal of Genealogy (September 1976): 27,

^"Collection Named for Librarian," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Jan,
26, 1971.

telephone, while more in-depth questions required a personal visit by the
patron, or the employment of a professional researcher. Reynolds retired as
Head Librarian in 1979. At that time, the Historical Genealogy Department
contained more than 100,000 volumes.

In 1981, construction was completed on a new wing of the main
building of what had been renamed the Allen County Public Library. The
Historical Genealogy Department closed to the public in its old location on
December 1, 1980, for the move across the second floor into expanded
quarters. A local newspaper reported that "Most people understood why the
section was closed, but [Manager Dorothy] Lower said several persons who
had driven long distances to use the large collection 'were highly
indignant.'"^ It took just one day for about 125 volunteers to move the
genealogy materials and equipment. For the move of the Historical
Genealogy and Young Adult Services departments and the Talking Books
service into the addition, book carts were marked with colored signs, and
movers, volunteers, and staff wore eight colors of color-coded T-shirts for
different activities. Lines were taped on the floor, traffic signs were posted,
and traffic "cops" directed the move. First aid stations with doughnuts and
coffee were established. Crews erecting shelving were scheduled to work
around the clock to stay ahead of the moving process.

The Historical Genealogy Department reopened January 19, 1981,
after an open house the previous day. The new area featured a pleasant
setting for reading or lounging under the skylights and among the live plants
in the balcony area, a local newspaper reported. The move increased the
seating capacity in the reading room from fifty-four to ninety-six
researchers. Twenty-four microfilm readers were housed in a new room
with controlled lighting. The 30,000-roll microfilm holdings included the
entire United States census, 1790 to 1900. While the collection previously
had been scattered throughout the library, in the new configuration it was
assembled in one stack area. Shelf space was available for the continued
expansion of the collection, and the new area also included work space for
the staff. Following the move to its new location, the department occupied
the entire second floor of the addition. The newspaper noted that the library
housed one of the most extensive collections of local and family history
research materials in the United States. The facility no longer had
overflowing bookshelves with researchers waiting in line to find a seat.

Despite the expansion of the genealogy reading room. Lower told
a reporter that she foresaw little problem filling the space with eager
researchers. If the department's press was accurate, Lower's confidence was
not surprising. The Historical Genealogy Department was consistently

^"Byron Spice, "Library's Wing Warmer," Fort Wayn& Journal Gazette,
Jan. 18, 1981.

described in superiatives. "When people talk about the library's big draw,"
one article noted, "many point to a special collection of books: those dealing
with genealogy. The library's genealogy department has a national
reputation of being among the best,"^'

A newspaper article described the scene in the department during
the early 1980s: "On any given day several dozen people can be found
hunched over microfilm machines, flipping through indexes and studying
books as they track down their family's history." Librarian Michael B.
Clegg, who became department manager upon Lx)wer's retirement, was
quoted in the article as saying: "In the summer it's standing room only in
here. There are people sitting on the floors. People plan their vacations to
use this department. "^^

Book use continued to increase through the early 1980s. In his
Library Trends article, Ashton said that, "In addition to intense local and
regional use, the department attracts researchers from all over the United
States. It is Fort Wayne's only bonafide tourist attraction.""

Dorothy Lx)wer, first manager of the Historical Genealogy
Department, retired in 1983. Michael B. Clegg followed Lower as manager
of the department and served through 1987. During his tenure, Clegg and
the staff of the department initiated the Periodical Source Index, an
ambitious project of subject-indexing all available English lanuage and
French Canadian genealogy and local history periodicals published since the
1840s. The project continues today, involving at least six Allen County
Public Library staff members, and six Allen County Public Library
Foundation staff members. It is funded through the foundation's Christman
Fund, begun with a bequest of almost $60,000 that was made specifically
to benefit the department.

Donations of money and materials at varying value levels
throughout its history have continued to play an important part in keeping
the Historical Genealogy Department among the best in the nation. An
Indianapolis Star article in 1990 noted that the department's good service to
its patrons paid off in the form of donations of family histories or other
genealogical works patrons had compiled, such as cemetery records. In
1989, the Foellinger Foundation awarded the library a grant of up to
$250,000 to purchase a complete set of 1920 census microfilm, which was
released in 1992. This allowed the facility to maintain the distinction of
being the only public library in the country with a complete set of federal

^'Morrow, "... for the Jobless, Curious, Lonely."

^^Ibid.

^^ Ashton, "A Commitment to Excellence in Genealogy," 95,

census microfilm, from 1790 to 1920. One organization which has continued
to give the library materials, donations of money for specific purposes, and
volunteer time, is the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana. In
1989, for example, the Society gave the department almost $2,600 to
purchase a new microtext reader to replace a broken one, and to add an
automated-fiinction microfilm reader for the specific use of patrons with
disabilities.

The Historical Genealogy Department continued to attract visitors
from beyond the boundaries of Allen County, Indiana, through the 1980s.
In 1985, for example, the collection drew 26,000 people from throughout
the United States and a few foreign countries. The changing technology of
the mid- to late- 1980s spurred changes in the department. For a time, the
department experimented with making a collection of popular genealogical
software programs available for use on public-access IBM-compatible
personal computers. This allowed prospective buyers to investigate the
different programs and their capabilities, and software users could update
their files while researching in the department. This service was
discontinued late in the decade.

In 1987, Clegg left the Historical Genealogy Department to fill the
position of Manager of Branch and Bookmobile Operations for the library.
Curt B. Witcher became the department's third manager. With his guidance,
the collection has continued to see tremendous growth in both materials and
use. In 1989, at least two people from each state visited the department and
stayed in Fort Wayne at least two days. Visitors came from every Canadian
province except one. A Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and Allen
County Public Library study proclaimed that the "genealogy department
resulted in an indirect economic impact of more than $4 million annually on
the northeast Indiana community."^'* By 1990, the collection had grown to
more than 169,000 volumes and more than 185,000 microtext items, making
it the largest genealogy collection in a public library, and the second largest
genealogy collection under one roof, topped only by the Family History
Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. An Indianapolis Star article noted that the
department was considered by experts to be among the nation's best and
largest in genealogical holdings.

In June 1990, as part of a general renovation of the Allen County
Public Library, the department expanded, doubling its seating capacity to
160 seats, and growing to include sixty microtext reading machines. The
move also meant an increase of nearly one hundred percent in floor space.
Witcher wrote an article for the Federation of Genealogical Societies
publication Forum, outlining the changes in the department. He noted that

^Beth Rosenberg Zweig, "Fort Wayne Library a Leader in Genealogy,"
Indianapolis Star, Jun. 24, 1990.

staff had more than eighty years of genealogy research experience that they
would call on to help patrons who visited the department, and would
perform limited research by mail for those who could not visit. As a
demonstration of these services, that year librarians spent an average of
more than seventy-seven percent of their work time at the reference desk
helping patrons, and an average of more than one thousand pieces of mail
were sent out each month to patrons all over the world.

An article published in 1990 lauded the department as being the
most accessible of the three largest collections in the United States, and
noted that it was the largest genealogy collection in a public library in North
America. "So many out-of-town genealogy hobbyists and professionals visit
the library, some local hotels have special deals for them,"^^ it added.

"You won't hear a lot of bustle, music or screaming roller coaster
riders at one of Fort Wayne's biggest attractions. In fact, it's one of the
quietest places in town,"^^ quipped an article published shortly before the
Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference, held locally in
1991. The article noted that about 42,000 people visited per year, and that
sixty-eight percent of them were from outside of Allen County. The
Convention Sales Manager for the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce's
Convention and Visitors' Bureau predicted that the conference would mean
an extra $250,000 in business for local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

The endowment society for the Historical Genealogy Department,
named the Reynolds Society for former head librarian Fred J. Reynolds, was
established in 1991. Three Reynolds Society-sponsored events that have
taken place since the organization's inception have been a sale of duplicate
genealogy books that netted $30,782.05; "An Irish Genealogical Workshop,"
featuring speaker Nora M. Hickey of County Cork; and "An English
Genealogical Workshop," featuring Dr. George Redmonds of Yorkshire.
The idea for an endowment society was in keeping with a desire to maintain
the excellence of the Historical Genealogy Department, despite challenging
demands on financial resources and staff time.

The reputation and impact of the Historical Genealogy Department
have been expanded through various types of "outreach" activities,
beginning primarily in the 1980s. Staff members have become involved in
public speaking, publishing, and taking leadership roles in local, state,
national, and international arenas. When not answering questions at the
reference desk. Historical Genealogy Department librarians spend their time
giving tours and talks, writing guides to the collection called Pathfinders,

^^Miller,"The Fountain of Knowledge," 4.

^^Doug LeDuc, "New Money from Old Trees," Business Monday, Fort
Wayne News Sentinel, Jul. 29, 1991.

and working on other special projects. In 1992, two pathfinders were among
five ACPL pieces of literature that were selected as public relations bests by
the Library Public Relations Council, and were on display at the American
Library Association conference. A project involving the department in 1993
and 1994 has been the Civil War Soldiers System. Witcher is national
coordinator for data input for the project, which will result in the
compilation of an index of the estimated 3.5 million Americans who fought
in the Civil War.

Computer technology has taken on an increasingly important role in the
Historical Genealogy Department. In 1991, it was the first library agency
to go on-line for patrons with the system's new automated catalog. Although
the catalog contained records for only about two thirds of the genealogy
collection's books, it quickly became popular with many patrons. In the
spring of 1992, news of the ability to dial into the Allen County Public
Library's automated catalog via computer modem was embraced
enthusiastically by genealogists worldwide. The library's strategic plan for
1992-1997 called for completing retrospective conversion and adding
additional records to the automated catalog, including genealogy books and
microfilm. Retrospective conversion is in progress.

In 1992, a storage closet was converted for use by genealogy
patrons and became the Computer Center, which houses computer/printer
combinations and a selection of CD-ROM products. A second Computer
Center with additional products was added in 1994. Since 1992, the
department has acquired four FamilySearch system workstations which run
CD-ROM products produced by the Family History Library of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In 1992, the Historical Genealogy Department reached the
benchmark of more than a half million items used, surpassing even the
previous year with its national conference. It also was the year of the 1920
census, released in March by the federal government and available by May
to genealogy patrons of the Allen County Public Library. The department
purchased the census microfilm with a $250,000 grant from the Foellinger
Foundation, and was the first facility to have the entire census available. A
week-long survey of genealogy patrons in 1992 revealed that people from
twenty different states visited the department during that period. Allen
County residents represented nearly thirty percent of the patrons. Visitors
that week reported they spent $27,140.70 in the community. Today the
department houses more than 200,000 print volumes and more than 246,000
items of microtext.

And the pace shows no sign of slowing. In the words of Ashton,
"When Fred Reynolds started a genealogy department in 1961 , no one knew
that Roots would be published. No one knew that genealogy would become

a consuming major national pastime."" But it has, and the Historical
Genealogy Department continues to try to keep pace with the popularity of
the field. Today, the department remains primarily a North American
collection, with some emphasis on other areas, such as the British Isles. It
includes United States state, county and town histories, indices to vital
records, cemetery inscriptions, will abstracts and indices, maps and plat
books, and state collections of other records. Also featured are all available
United States federal census schedules, most Canadian census schedules,
passenger lists, and military records. Family histories, heraldry materials,
guides to genealogical research, and bibliographies figure in the
department's holdings as well. The department has North America's largest
genealogy and local history periodical collection, and an impressive
collection of city directories. The collection is particularly strong in
Midwestern local history, but features holdings from the entire United States
and Canada. "Fred's legacy in the field of genealogy," Ashton said, "will
outlive us all."^^

Readers' Services and
Reference Departments

[Tell] your friends to quit worrying about this and that and the other
problem. 'Let the librarian do it. '

During the first century of the public library in Fort Wayne,
possibly no area of the library system has undergone as many changes as the
one that serves the general needs of adult patrons and provides reference
service. It can be said with some degree of accuracy that all library services
and departments began with this area. In the early days of the public library,
its very small staff performed nearly all functions, from cataloging, to
reference work, to circulation duties. Functions were split off into separate
departments as it was deemed necessary. Cataloging, for example, was a
duty of the Reference Department until 1917 when the Cataloging
Department was formed. Subject departments for art and music, business,
and genealogy were formed gradually as the library's clientele and staff
grew and the collection of materials became more specialized. The names
of the departments that have provided general reference work, reader's
advisory services, and been responsible for the main collection of adult
materials, have varied from Adult Circulation Department to Reference

"Ashton, "A Commitment to Excellence in Genealogy," 95.
^^Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.

Department to Readers' Services. During much of the library's history, the
Reference Department handled primarily non-circulating materials and
research questions, while the Circulation or Adult Circulation Department
was responsible for the circulating adult collection. Exc^t where it is
specified otherwise, this section is a general description of all of these areas.

As early as 1898, the public library had a room devoted particularly
to general reference work. In the Brackenridge residence in that year, the
Reference Room had encyclopedias, histories, and other books of reference,
as well as books that applied to the curriculums of local schools. In 1902,
librarians performed a larger amount of reference work than they had in any
of the preceding years that the library had been open. This trend continued
in 1903. In 1904, the same staff members provided reference service to
children as to adults. The librarian
and her assistants helped public
school children and members of
local clubs in their selection of
books and the best sources on the
subjects they wished to study.
Following the advent of the
Children's Room with a separate
staff early in the century, reference
work for young people took place
in that room.

In about 1922, the
reference area was located at the south end of the reading room and
contained encyclopedias, bound magazines, and reference books on many
subjects. At that time, Sarah L. Sturgis was head of the Reference
Department.

In April 1922, one of the local newspapers published an article
praising the public library and drew attention to reference service. After
providing examples of reference questions, the reporter expounded "... when
you come in and say something like this, the librarian welcomes you like a
long lost brother or sister. She's been waiting for you. She's there to help
you find the answer to just such problems ... You'll be surprised at how
quickly the response comes, and when it does, you go out of your own
public library doing just the same thing I have tried to do, namely, praising
the service of this great institution and telling your friends to quit worrying
about this and that and the other problem. 'Let the librarian do it.'"''

A 1923 General Staff Instructions handbook gave the library's

Patrons ei\joy the Christmas book
exhibit, 1928.

'^rt J. Griswold, "Public Library's Wide Scope and Use not as
Familiar to Local People as it Should Be," Fort Wayne newspaper, April
1922.

100

procedure for handling reference questions: "In serving the public and
meeting their [sic] requests for aid and information each member of the staff
is expected to observe the following rules: (^the request is one that should
be answered by your department it should be answered at once and in the
most satisfactory way possible, //"the request properly belongs to another
department, the assistant should courteously refer the inquirer to the proper
desk, conducting him their [sic] if thought necessary." In addition, "When
the reference librarian or reference assistant is in the library, they should be
called to the telephone for reference questions. When it is necessary for a
reference question to be taken at the Main lending desk, the question should
be stated plainly on a slip with the date when the material is desired,
patron's name and telephone number, and assistant's name, and date taken.
This slip is placed on the reference file of department to which it
belongs. """^

By 1928, the Adult Circulation Department had a collection of
37,493 books. Books left the department from the circulation desk; through
the Extension Department to deposit collections at hospitals, factories, and
communities; and through branches in the city and county. Library staff
members made an effort to balance the collection and strengthen the weak
areas, to keep up with collecting materials for changing subjects, and to
tailor the collection to the specific needs and desires of the Fort Wayne
community. Suggestions of particular titles or subject areas from patrons
were welcomed. A reader's advisory service apparently was being
performed: "Special attention is given in this department to the reader who
wishes to follow a special course of reading or wishes special assistance in
selecting books. Reading courses will be mapped out on any subject
requested or books will be selected to help any reader following a special
course of study. This department desires to give each reader personal
attention as far as possible."'^' This type of specialized service was not new
to the public library. It was being performed at Southside (now Shawnee)
Branch library as early as July 1912.

The Reference Department was equipped in 1928 with
encyclopedias and dictionaries covering different subjects and languages;
debaters' handbooks; yearbooks; atlases; and indexes to magazines, poetry,
short stories, songs, plays, and other subjects. The department had more
than two hundred current magazines and a large number of bound

^General Staff Instructions, Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County, 1923, 16.

^^ Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, "A bulletin showing
a history of the library, a record of its progress, and the work of the various
departments," circa 1928, 7.

101

magazines; the Reader's Guide; and an active vertical file containing
clippings on problems of the time period and other subjects. The staff of the
Reference Department answered reference questions asked via telephone and
letter, and placed books on reserve for college students.

Another duty of the Reference Department staff was collecting and
filing material for the Indiana Collection, described elsewhere in this
volume. [See Special Services & Collections.] A description of the
Reference Department explained, "One of the most interesting phases of the
work this department does is the collecting of all information on Fort Wayne
and Indiana history. Through this Indiana Collection many patrons wishing
material of historic interest find through the books pamphlets, and clippings
collected in this department material to satisfy their needs. "*^ The
department maintained jurisdiction over the ever-growing Indiana Collection
in 1931. At that time, the collection was housed in a room off the Reference
Room.

In 1931, the Reference Department had "... charge of all reference
work, with a large collection of books, a pleasant and commodious room,
and a staff of three. "^^ The Adult Department was separated into two
divisions in 1935, the Reference Division and the Circulation Division. The
Reference Division had about 15,000 volumes, including yearbooks,
encyclopedias, gazetteers, dictionaries, standard non-fiction books, and
bound and current periodicals. Large numbers of people, including high
school and college students, used the division daily.

The era of the Depression caused financial strain throughout the
library system as departments tried to keep up with buying materials
reflecting the changes in their subject areas, yet suffered because of tight
monetary resources. "The general reference department has a varied nucleus
of reference facilities seldom surpassed in cities of our class ..., [but]
numerous publications should be added which we cannot purchase . . . Future
budgetary provision should include ample opportunity for this department
to expand rather than contract. "^

By the early 1950s, the materials budget problems of the Reference
Department had faded somewhat, but new problems had emerged. The
Carnegie building was becoming severely overcrowded. Albert Diserens
headed the department at this time, and remained manager through at least
1963. "The [reference] room was large and high-ceilinged. A tall ladder

^^Ibid.

'^^Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907."

**Rex Potterf, "Survey Points Out Future Needs of Public Library," Fort
Wayne newspaper, 1935.

102

with wheels provided access to those books high above the floor. "^^ After
five more years, in 1956, the Reference Department often was filled to
capacity and patrons spilled out into the halls on both floors, especially on
Saturdays. Indiana Technical College regularly brought its English classes
to the department for tours, which in earlier days had numbered twelve to
fifteen students, but the groups were approaching numbers of sixty to
seventy. Besides performing reference woii:, the staff of the department in
the mid- to late- 1950s was in charge of coordinating exhibits in the main
lobby; working with staff members who were preparing historical pamphlets
that were published by the library; and answering reference questions by
telephone.

The Reference Department, July 1965.

The Reference Department in 1961 housed general reference works,
back issues of general periodicals, the Indiana collection, the art collection,
picture files, and a vertical file of pamphlets and clippings. The vertical file
had early origins. It contained 34,000 pamphlets, nearly 100,000 pictures,
and 122,000 clippings by 1949. By 1967, it contained 254,360 pamphlets
and clippings. Interlibrary loan, a service that enabled an individual to
borrow materials from other libraries through the local public library, was
a service offered by the Reference Department in 1961. Reference via
telephone remained a service in 1963.

Reference business boomed through the 1960s. In 1963, the
Reference Department answered 4,785 questions. In 1964, increased use of

■^'Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence."

103

the reference facilities exacerbated the problem of satisfying patrons,
especially since a large portion of the book stock had been moved to an
annex building to ease crowding of the Carnegie building. "This problem of
adequate reference service will become even more acute until the first wing
of the new building is completed," the annual report explained. "We hope
the citizens of Fort Wayne realize that we are operating under great
difficulties which must be endured temporarily."** Reference questions
answered in the department that year numbered 6,017. Use of the main
library for general information and reference purposes continued to increase
in 1965. Among the patrons contributing to the increase were high school
and college students. The department, with Helen Colchin at its head,
answered 6,345 reference questions in 1965. Colchin remained in charge of
the Reference Department in 1966. In 1967, during construction of the new
main library building, the Reference Department was located in the Purdue
Building at the comer of Jefferson Boulevard and Barr Street. The staff
answered 6,762 reference questions that year. When the department opened
in the new building, it included an extensive number of reference tools,
bound periodicals, newspapers on microfilm, vertical file materials,
microfilm readers and photocopy machines, and typing and taping rooms
available for patron use.

The number of reference questions received in the department
continued to rise through the 1970s. In 1972, 11,581 questions were
answered, while in 1974, 17,459 questions were answered. Department
Manager Melvin Lee Quinn left the library early in the decade and was
succeeded by Richard Seagly.

By 1976, the services of the library had outgrown their new
building and officials were in the process of planning an addition on the
northwest side of the structure. In November, a projected cost estimate for
the addition included tentative plans to house reference materials, genealogy,
microfilm and microfiche, and newspapers in what was then the auditorium.
Almost four years later, in October 1980, a revised plan called for extending
the book stack area in the Readers' Services area, which housed the bulk of
adult materials, and rearranging the catalog. The Reference Department
would be moved into the area that prior to the addition housed High School
(Young Adult) Services. Young Adult Services would be moved into the
addition.

In 1981, the Allen County Public Library underwent a process to
create a five-year plan for the system. The plan called for a ten percent
increase for each of the following five years in the number of reference

'^^Fred J. Reynolds, "A Message from the Librarian," Seventy-First
Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
[1964].

104

questions answered in-house, and an eight percent increase per year in the
number of telephone reference questions answered. In addition, an eight
percent increase in the number of books circulated to adults was a goal of
the plan. In the area of programming, the five-year plan called for regular
adult reading and book discussion groups, at the time only offered
irregularly. Patron complaints at a public hearing about the five-year plan
included the perceived inaccessibility of reference materials and the
inconvenience of needing to use a call slip to request bound issues of
magazines.

In 1981 , the number of reference or information questions answered
totaled 102,000. Most likely, this included all departments within the library
system, and not just the Reference Department. A policy statement for
information services formulated about that time included the following
guidelines:

• The goal was to provide consistent high quality public service by
offering accurate information in response to user requests and anticipated
information needs of the public.

• An efficient, timely, courteous, and impartial delivery of
information services would be employed.

• Users of all ages and circumstances would be treated with equal
attention and sensitivity.

• All requests for information were to be considered legitimate.

• Users were to receive information, not a staff member's opinion.

• All requests would be answered or redirected.

"In the Reference Department, librarians are conditioned to a
barrage of questions - many as trivial as the names of Snow White's seven
dwarfs, others of far greater substance,'"*^ a newspaper article noted in
1982. Staff members answered 125,493 information questions that year. The
department in 1982 offered the use of modem IBM typewriters to patrons.
The most requested book of that year was exercise mogul Richard Simmons'
Never-Say-Diet- Cookbook.

In 1983, Readers' Services Manager Richard Seagly left his position
to become Adult Bibliographer, and shortly thereafter, Paul Deane was hired
as manager. Kay Lynn Isca served as acting manager of Readers' Services
between Seagly's and Deane's tenures. In 1983-1984, a general
reorganization of the departments of the library combined the Readers'
Services Department with the Reference Department and Talking Books.
The impetus behind the merger of these departments in part was to avoid
duplication of services. Also, there had been several employee retirements
and resignations. Helen Colchin had been manager of the Reference
Department, and left the system at that time. Deane became manager of the

'^^Morrow, "... for the Jobless, Curious, Lx)nely.

105

newly-reorganized Readers' Services Department and remained in that
position until 1987, when he left and Joyce Misner became Readers'
Services manager. Early in 1994, Misner became acting Adult Bibliographer
following the retirement in December 1993 of Richard Seagly. At that point,
Readers' Services Assistant Manager Kate Birdseye stepped into the position
of acting manager.

Through the 1980s, the number of reference questions answered by
library staff members continued to be strong. In 1983, 212,391 questions
were answered, which was a sixty-nine percent increase from 1982. In
1985, the number of questions answered rose to 248,798. Staff members
answered 304,033 questions in 1986. In 1988, the number of reference
questions recorded dropped to 280,333. The Readers' Services staff alone
answered 85,000 questions in 1989. Included in these were calls from Great
Britain, Arizona, and the office of Indiana Governor Evan Bayh.

By 1990, the Readers' Services Department provided information,
materials, and advice on the humanities, social sciences, and a little of
everything else. Its collection included fiction, biography, and reference
materials. The department offered interlibrary loan service, maintained a
vertical file collection, and oversaw the Talking Books service. Pamphlets,
clippings, maps, a local club file, a file of charitable organizations, packets
of information on the community for new residents, the Adult Basic Reading
Center, and telephone reference service were part of the Readers' Services
Department by 1990. At that time, twelve librarians staffed the department.

Programming sponsored by the Readers' Services Department
during the 1990s has included American Indian Day; the Food for Thought
lunchtime book discussion group; displays featuring the holiday activities of
local clubs, the history of the first Thanksgiving, Diabetes Month, Epilepsy
Month, National Religious Book Week, Jewish Book Month, Women in
History, community resources, weekend travel, and annual Christmas
activities in Fort Wayne; and a National Library Week display and video.

Computers have become a regular part of the information sources
in most departments of the Allen County Public Library. The Readers'
Services Department is no exception. By 1990, several computer databases
were available to supply information to patrons. In March 1991, the library
was chosen as a test site for OCLC's MAX product, later named
FirstSearch. Terminals were located in Readers' Services and the Historical
Genealogy Department. In August 1991, Readers' Services patrons gained
access to the library's automated catalog. By March 1993, the department
had at least eight computer compact disk products for patron use: CD-
Coreworks (an index to poems, plays, essays, and short stories), CDMARC
Serials (bibliographic information about serials), Columbia Granger's World
of Poetry (an index to poems, contents of poems, and quotations). General
Periodicals Index (citations and abstracts). National Newspaper Index,
NewsBank (index to regional newspapers and magazines). Poem Finder

106

(poetry index), and Books in Print with Book Reviews.

During a renovation of the first floor in 1992, the Readers' Services
desk closed to the public for about five days for carpet installation and
reconfiguration of the layout of the department. The Periodicals area,
formerly under the jurisdiction of the Business and Technology Department,
was moved adjacent to Readers' Services. In addition, a help desk was
established near the library's main entrance to field directional questions.
The establishment of a "first contact" desk of this sort that would offer
catalog assistance and direct patrons to the correct departments was an idea
that surfaced during the 1991 strategic planning process for the library. In
January 1993, business at the help desk was reported as slower than had
been anticipated, but Readers' Services Department staff members did report
a lower incidence of directional questions being asked at their desk.

Today, the Readers' Services Department houses thousands of
resources and covers a broad range of topics primarily in the humanities and
social sciences. Its collection includes fiction, literature, biography, history,
sports, travel, and religion. Reference service is provided on site and by
telephone. The department has a number of online and compact disk
computer databases, a reader's advisory service, and an interlibrary loan
service. Patrons may place reserves on books. The Adult Learners'
Collection and Talking Books are a part of this department.

Periodicals

The vast majority [of patrons] are strongly in favor of the microfilm.

As early as 1898, when the public library was housed in the
Brackenridge residence, current newspapers and magazines were available
to the browsing public. In 1901, newspapers for which the library held
subscriptions included the New York Sun, Boston Evening Transcript,
Philadelphia Times, Atlanta Constitution, St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
Indianapolis News, Springfield Republican, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
By 1904, the library subscribed to seventy-seven magazines and nineteen
newspapers. The library's collection of the local newspapers was helped in
the 1910s by the donation of an almost complete set of the Fort Wayne
Sentinel by Sentinel owner E.A.K. Hackett.

Not all periodicals and their corresponding guides were housed
together in the Reference Department; many were located among related
subject departments. Possibly the earliest periodicals index held by the
library was the Engineering Periodical Index, found in the new Business and
Municipal Department in 1912. The Business and Technical Department had
five periodical indices by 1932. By the early 1920s, the Children's Room
subscribed to several magazines as well.

107

In 1921, the library received 326 periodicals and fourteen
newspapers. About 1922, the subscriptions had increased to 384 magazines
and sixteen newspapers. Periodicals were being bound and saved by this
time. New magazines and newspapers had to be approved by the librarian
before being placed in the reading room in 1923. At that time, the library
received two copies of local newspapers. One was placed in the reading
room, and one sent to the bindery. In 1928, more than two hundred current
magazines were available, as well as a large number of bound magazines.
The Readers' Guide also was available by this time. Magazines in 1928
were part of the Reference Department. They continued as a Reference
Department source in 1935, but bound and current newspapers were under
the jurisdiction of the Business and Technical Department. Magazines and
newspapers were not gathered together into one Periodicals Department until
sometime after 1968. When this consolidation finally occurred, the area at
first was under the jurisdiction of the Business and Technology Department,
and only recently became a part of the Readers' Services Department.

In 1936, $1,502.66 of the library's budget was expended for
newspapers and magazines. By 1949, the library received thirteen
newspapers and 638 periodicals.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the number of newspaper and
magazine subscriptions held by the library continued to grow, as necessarily
did the number of bound periodicals. Some periodicals -mainly newspapers -
were reproduced on a medium that quickly was becoming popular for the
small amount of storage space it required - microfilm. In 1953, the library
subscribed to twenty-eight newspapers and 656 periodicals. At that time, it
had nineteen microfilm readers and 2,798 rolls of microfilm, many of which
probably were reproductions of newspapers. The 1956 annual report
indicated that some patrons refused to use microfilm readers, but that the
vast majority were "strongly in favor of the microfilm.'"** Out-of-town
newspapers continued to be popular. Many patrons devoted themselves to
magazines. Contained in a former coal bin near the Business and Technical
Department's storage area in the library's basement in 1958 were
newspapers from all over the country on microfilm, and a microfilm reader.

By 1961 , the library subscribed to 835 current periodicals and thirty
daily newspapers. In 1964, the library's annual report noted that the growth
of the bound periodical collection was "gratifying." The library had 34,369
bound periodicals, 1,062 current magazine titles, and thirty-five current
newspaper titles. By April 1967, the library owned 38,026 bound
periodicals, 1,244 current magazines, and thirty-eight current newspapers.
In the 1967 annual report, the numbers were 40,055 bound periodicals.

^* Sixty-Third Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County [1956], 7.

108

1,411 current magazines, and thirty-four current newspapers.

Necessarily, with the rising number of titles, came an increase in
the cost of periodicals. In August 1964, the library board awarded a contract
in the amount of $10,031.90 for periodicals to Hanson-Bennett Magazine
Agency of Chicago. The same company received a contract for periodicals
in 1968 for $12,035.62. Franklin Square of Teaneck, New Jersey, received
a $24,215.89 contract in 1971, almost double the periodicals bill of three
years earlier. Low bidders for the periodicals contracts in 1972 were
Ellsworth Magazine Service at $24,889.71 and Ebsco Subscription Service
at $26,109.79.

In June 1968, the Fort Wayne Public Library was one of forty-six
corporate, public, and institutional libraries in the state to be included in a
computerized database of periodicals. The project was fiinded by an Indiana
State Library grant of $43,487, and was coordinated by Purdue University
Libraries. At that time, the local library's collection of periodicals remained
split between the Reference Department, which housed bound periodicals
and back issues of newspapers on microfilm, and the Business and
Technology Department, which kept the current local and out-of-town
newspapers in addition to periodicals on business subjects.

The number of periodicals owned by the library continued to grow
into the 1970s. In 1971, the library subscribed to 1,600 periodicals and had
a complete set of The Times (London) beginning in 1792, the New York
Times, and the Philadelphia Le^^er, among other newspapers, on microfilm.
In 1972, the facility had 53,863 bound periodicals, 1,744 current magazine
titles, and forty-seven current newspaper titles. These numbers had increased
respectively in 1974 to 59,250, 1,762, and forty-eight. Little has been found
written about the library's periodicals collection through the late 1970s, but
by early 1982, the number of current magazine subscriptions held by the
library had reached nearly 3,000.

In 1983, the rising cost of magazine subscriptions had become a
problem. Although all library materials were becoming more expensive,
periodicals costs were rising much faster than books. While the cost of
books rose thirty-two percent from 1977 to 1981, the average price for an
American periodical rose eighty-two percent during the same time period.
Library staff members in charge of choosing new periodicals began watching
their choices more closely than had been done in the past. Periodicals were
renewed for one year at a time, and the total number of subscriptions was
decreased from 1982 to 1983 because of cost.

During a general reorganization of departments in 1983 and 1984,
materials that were in little demand, such as the back issues of many
periodicals, were moved to basement storage areas, and the current
magazine area was expanded. At some point, possibly during this
reorganization, all newspapers and general periodicals were gathered
together under the jurisdiction of the Business and Technology Department.

109

In 1985, $168,553 was spent by the library for periodicals. Late in the
1980s, the library subscribed to forty-eight newspapers, including twenty-
one dailies, and more than 3,000 magazines. This number of journals did
not include the periodical subscriptions of the Historical Genealogy
Department, which had begun to strive to hold the largest number of
genealogy and local history periodicals in North America.

The library's strategic plan, a draft of which was formulated in
1991 and 1992, called for completing retrospective conversion of the
computer catalog, including adding microfilm. Another goal was to
microfilm any Fort Wayne newspapers that had not previously been filmed,
and to refilm any for which existing films were damaged or incomplete.

In 1992, the periodicals collection was moved to the northeast
section of the main library building and became part of the Readers'
Services Department. The Readers' Services and periodicals desks were
placed adjacent to one another with the goal of providing a centrally-located
information center.

In the 1990s, a Periodicals Committee has been studying several
issues relating to the collection, such as:

• What should be discarded entirely?

• What should be discarded and replaced by microfiche?

• What should be kept "forever?"

• What had ceased publication and could be filed adjacent to other
titles?

• What government publication series could be interfiled?

• What were the related storage, retrieval, and equipment costs of
the plan?

Outreach Services
Extension & County Departments

The cooperation of individuals and groups has been an important factor in
bringing about these accomplishments.

The public library had been in existence in Fort Wayne only
seventeen years when the first point of service outside of the main library
beyond deposit collections - Southside Branch - was established in 1912.
Just four years later, the Extension Department was formed to further this
tradition of making library service convenient by bringing books to the
citizens of Fort Wayne.

The Extension Department's first manager was Laura M. Sikes,
who directed the placement of deposit collections of books in industrial
plants, fire departments, and other places. These deposit collections were
changed periodically. Someone - often an employee of the business or a

person who lived in the neighborhood - was placed in charge of circulation
at each location. In the early 1920s, Estella C. Stringer was transferred from
her position as manager of the Cataloging Department to manage the
Extension Department.

In 1920, library service was expanded into Allen County outside of
the city limits of Fort Wayne, and the County Department was formed.
Corinne Metz was the first county librarian, followed by Margaret Winning
from 1927 through 1935. The Extension and County Departments performed
generally the same functions, the former for the city, and the latter for the
county. In this section, both city and county services performed away from
the main library will be referred to as "extension service." In recent years,
service to the community apart from the main library and branches has
become known as "outreach service. "

In great part because of the Extension and County Departments, by
1929 there were 192 agencies in Allen County serving the people. During
the Depression years of the 1930s, however, extension service necessarily
was curtailed somewhat. By 1932, the number of service points in different
parts of the county was given as 118, but this may not have included

agencies within the city limits. By
April 1934, although books still
were stacked in one-room school
houses, corner stores, in
"institutions for the physically and
morally unfortunate," and in
"numerous nooks and crannies of
the county,"*' some deposit
stations had been closed because of
cuts in the library budget. An
article in 1935 noted that because
of financial limitations, while
deposit collections "once assumed
large proportions in playgrounds, factories, hospitals and fire stations ...
[they were] chosen for reduction when funds were reduced."*

It was in 1935, however, with the change in head librarians, that
extension service began to pick up again. In March there were book deposits
in seven community centers with three hundred to four hundred volumes in
each location. The greatest need felt by patrons outside of the city was for
more books, branch libraries, and reading rooms. Because of that need.

Patrons used the Leo deposit station
at Warner Brothers General Store
during the 1930s.

*'"Rural Library Buildings, Deposits Are Features of Library System,"
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette^ Apr. 15, 1934.

*"Potterf Traces Growth of Library System in City.'

Ill

library officials planned to open at least six more county book deposits in
August of that year. In April 1935, the library board approved the 1935-
1936 financial program of the Allen County Extension Department, which
included about $6,500 for purchase and rebinding of books, among other
projects. By March 1949, the library serviced fifteen deposit stations,
including ones at a meat locker plant, a filling station, a post office, and a
store.

During the mid-1950s, many services that formerly had been housed
in the Carnegie main library building were moved to a series of buildings
along Washington Street because of crowded conditions. In 1956, the
Extension Department had its headquarters in one of these buildings. The
library's annual report for that year included a recommendation by Head
Librarian Rex Potterf that provision be made for adequate extension service
to adults within the corporate city of Fort Wayne. He lamented that large
areas of the city were distant from the main library and its branches and
proposed that as a solution, the system acquire several small bookmobiles
with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,200 books.

The Extension and County Departments thrived through the 1960s
and into the 1970s, but as school service dwindled and most deposit stations
disappeared, so did the need for these departments. In the 1980s and 1990s,
Outreach Services performs duties that once may have been under the
jurisdiction of the Extension and County Departments, and individual
branches provide programming and services for virtually all areas of the
county. Peg Ballard became Outreach Specialist in 1986, taking library
programs and materials to people who could not visit the library, primarily
senior citizens. Servicing deposit collections in retirement homes and senior
citizen apartment complexes also was a part of her duties. When a strategic
planning process was initiated for the library in 1990-1991, outreach to
people who were homebound or disabled was a suggested topic for
discussion for the process. A draft of the plan, which was slated to guide the
library through the years 1992 to 1997, did include the intention to study the
feasibility of expanding outreach services, such as those for homebound
patrons. In 1990, the Allen County Public Library purchased a new
Outreach Services truck with numerous provisions for taking the library's
materials into the community.

City Schools

In 1902, at the request of the Woman's Club League, the public
library purchased and prepared collections of books that would be placed at
schools whose distance from the library prohibited children from making
regular library visits. Each school had a collection of books for a month,
during which time they circulated among the students, then the collection
was rotated.

In 1917, Central High School became the home of the first public

112

library high school branch. It was operated first by library employee Marian
A. Webb as part of her duties, then on a regular basis by Florence
Klinkenberg, also a public library employee. In 1922, a public library
branch was established at South Side High School with Margaret M. Shulze
in charge. When North Side High School was constructed in 1927, a room
was set aside for library use with Alice McKeehan as librarian. In the public
high schools, the libraries were organized and operated as branches of the
public library. In 1927, the Central High School library circulated 6,748
volumes, while South Side and North Side High Schools each circulated
more than 4,000 volumes. In 1928, six leading Mexican librarians visited
Fort Wayne to observe various library service points. They toured the
Central High School library while in the area. In 1930, library trustees
returned the three high school branch libraries to the jurisdiction of the
schools to be operated independently by the schools' librarians and
principals.

After 1935, library service to rural and city schools was performed
partially through the use of two large bookmobiles built with Works
Progress Administration labor. In addition, schools in both the city and the
county requested deposit collections of books for their buildings. Within a
few years, the library was able to supply each school with a deposit
collection serviced weekly by a public library staff member.

From 1949 to 1953, because of inadequate funds, the library's
collection of juvenile books had steadily diminished until little or no reserve
existed to compose schoolroom collections. Some other factors in this
phenomenon were larger enrollments of school children and a greater
emphasis on reading programs. Library officials began to consider phasing
out city and parochial school room collections, mainly because the library
could not afford to build up its reserves in this area. "Beginning July 1,
1953, no new books have been or will be purchased for use in the public
and parochial elementary schools in the city of Fort Wayne," read a memo
to the schools. "Service to the schools in the city will continue with the
present very large book stock, but no new books will be purchased strictly
for school use. It will be necessary, therefore, in the future for both public
and parochial schools to furnish for themselves any books and service which
the public library cannot supply from its present book stock. The withdrawal
of public library service from the city public and parochial elementary
schools will be gradual but steady. In this way the public library will be able
to live within present appropriations."^' Schools were urged to take action

^'Rex M. Potterf, "Letter of the Board of School Trustees to Principals
of Public and Parochial Schools" (1953), The Problem of Continued Library
Service to the Elementary Schools By the Public Library, a report prepared
by the staff of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, 1954,

113

as early as possible, since by the end of the 1953-1954 school year, it was
expected that the majority of the books for children in the first through third
grades would be worn out and have to be taken out of circulation. In fact,
most juvenile books used in large quantities in the schools would be worn
out by the 1954-1955 school year. Following the library's announcement of
its intention to discontinue schoolroom collections, representatives of city
and parochial schools wrote, imploring the library not to curtail service to
the schools.

Schoolroom service did continue into 1954, but no new books were
purchased for this service because of an inadequate book appropriation. In
addition, rebinding needs could not be met. Library officials said school
service could be carried into 1955 if the book budget were increased by
$30,000, the bindery budget by $10,000, and the salary budget for school
service by $5,040. The financial crisis was averted for the time being and
service to schools continued. As late as 1958, some school service work was
based in the Washington Annex, three blocks from main library. In 1961,
the library still serviced "a great many" school branch libraries and school
deposit collections. All elementary schools - public and parochial - were
served either by library deposits in their buildings or by package libraries.
In 1963, seventy-two schools were stocked with book collections.

Fred Reynolds, Head Librarian, proposed shifting the 9, 000- volume
contents of the Elmhurst High School Library to Fort Wayne Community
Schools in 1965, after school officials expressed an interest in assuming
responsibility for the library. Elmhurst was the only city high school still
supplied by the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County at that
time.

In February 1969, the library announced again that it would have
to withdraw its services to elementary schools unless the tax rate was raised.
At that time, thousands of books per year were supplied to school libraries.
The process of withdrawal was a gradual one because of the expense the
schools had to bear in taking over their own library service. In 1969, three
schools, Hanna, Croniger, and Forest Park, were involved in a pilot
program to take over their own libraries and no longer had books supplied
by the library. The withdrawal process from the schools continued through
1975. In 1993, disposal of the last vestiges of duplicate copies of books
remaining from urban and county school systems collections took place.

Although the public library no longer supplies schools with
collections of books, contact with city and county schools continues through
various types of programming, including the children's and young adults'
Summer Reading Programs, the annual poetry contest, tours and projects for
students, and other activities. In August 1992, plans were launched to set up

114

two catalog terminals at North Side High School to give students computer
access to the Allen County Public Library collection.

County Schools

In 1920, with the advent of library service to Allen County, came
library service to rural schools. Teachers in rural schools were allowed to
select as many volumes for their rooms' deposit collections as they had
students in the room. By the end of 1921 , 2,754 volumes were in circulation
in the rural schools. Librarians visited the schools and occasionally read or
told a story to students. By 1925, every rural school was provided a
schoolroom library. The principals of Woodbum and Monroeville Schools
requested in 1928 that the County Department of the public library catalog
their school libraries. As a service, this was done as time permitted.

The professed aim of the County Department in 1929 was to extend
to every child in rural schools the same privileges that were extended to city
children. Each semester schools received collections of books in a ratio of
one and a half to two books per pupil. As many schools as possible were
visited during the year and stories told to the children. Library instruction
was given in high schools in the four towns where there were county
branches and the branches were used as laboratories. In 1931, the public
library had 377 schoolroom collections, many of them in rural schools. In
1935, every school in the county was served with books from the public
library upon request of the teacher. By 1949, there were thirty-six school
deposits and sixty-three classroom collections.

In March 1957, each of the ten high schools in rural Allen County
had a branch library maintained by the main library. Through these, book
collections ranging up to 5,000 volumes were available to school children
in some ninety public and parochial schools. As late as 1971, six county
high schools still had public library outlets.

Businesses
In 1909, a small deposit collection of books was placed at Wayne
Knitting Mills. At the beginning of the summer, a similar collection of
books at the General Electric plant at Clinton and Holman Streets was
discontinued because its popularity decreased during the hot weather.
However, the demand for books at Wayne Knitting Mills continued to be
strong and the collection was continued throughout the summer. A local
newspaper article commented, "Although July and August are dull months
in the library business, if one may be allowed the expression, so great has
been the demand for the public library books which have been placed at the
deposit station at the Wayne Knitting mills for the use of employees only,
that the station has been continued all summer, and the popularity of the
books with the girls and others employed at the big concern does not

115

diminish. "^^

At some point during the 1930s, the library Board decided for
economic reasons to remove deposit collections from all industrial plants in
the city. Nearly four hundred employees of the Wayne Company signed a
petition asking the Board to reconsider its decision. By that time, the
company's branch had been in existence for more than twelve years, under
sponsorship of the educational committee of the Wayne Company athletic
association, and circulated more books than any other industrial branch in
the city. Transportation of books between the main library and the Wayne
Company was done by Wayne employees, and the company also paid to
employ a librarian. The public library's only expense was the books
themselves.

In the heyday of the Extension Department, collections of books
were provided to Bowser's, Wayne Pump, Tokheim, and other industries,
as well as Wayne Knitting Mills and General Electric. As late as 1968, the
County Extension Department delivered books to deposits at North
American Van Lines and Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.

Community Deposits

In 1909, the public library planned to create a deposit collection in

the new Tenth Ward school building by September of the following year for

use by all residents of that area. "It is the hope of those in charge of the

library in this city to start and maintain such stations in every part of our

growing metropolis,"'^ noted the local newspaper.

In 1920, when public library service to county residents began,

branches and deposit stations were opened all over Allen County. The

deposit stations were collections of fifty to one hundred volumes, which

were changed every three months and were located in general stores,

postoffices, and in a few cases,

schools and private homes. By the

time of the deposit stations'

openings in November 1921,

library employees doing county

work had selected more than 5,000

books for county deposits,

A month before their

opening, a local newspaper

Ir^T'^^^^^^^^^^^T^"?^^'^ described the library's plans for the
Library deposit collection at . . ^ . t. j xl .

W II 1010 deposit stations. It said that

'^"Some Sub Stations," Fort Wayne newspaper, August 1909.
«Ibid.

116

"strong, but good-looking wooden boxes "^ would double as bookshelves.
Each station would receive fifty books in one of the boxes, files, and
instructions for carrying out circulation work. The first deposit stations,
opened November 1, 1921, were at the general store of Mrs, William
Wilder at Aboite; Everson general store at Edgerton; the drug store at

■1

m
^1

pIIS^

I '

£**■

Ib^

■IW^

Corinne Metz and Adele
Warner load the "library Ford"
for a trip into the county.

Some rural residents got their
books from area school
deposits, 1922.

Grabill; the postoffice and the
McFadden residence at Hoagland;
the residence of Mrs. D.L. Small
at Maples; Stewart and Warren
general store at Leo; R.E. Shearer
general store at Poe; Stuckey
Brothers at Woodbum; E.M.
Ferrell general store at Yoder;
Knight Brothers at Zanesville; and
a deposit at Harlan which soon
became a library branch. Also
among locations for the first county
deposit stations were J.C. Hiler general store at Areola; the Will Scarlet
residence at Eel River Township; Jackson general store at Fensler; E.M.
Nuttle general store at Gar Creek; Crawford Porter general store at Hall's
Comers; P.M. Omo general store at Milan Center; Thomas Bums general
store in St. Joseph Township; W.S. Townsend general store at Tillman;
Scott warehouse at Wallen; and Gladieux Brothers General store at Zulu.

The Wallen deposit in the Farmer's
Equity Exchange, 1928.

^"3,500 Books Ready for County Libraries," unidentified newspaper,
October 1920.

117

Other deposit stations in the early 1920s were located within the
Fort Wayne city limits in fire departments, the Young Men's Christian
Association, and other places. By 1923, county deposit stations could be
found in twenty small communities. The collections of books varied in size
and were changed every three months. Deposit custodians did not receive
salaries. At that time, borrowers who lived a distance from a county deposit
station could receive their books by mail at no charge, with the stipulation
that they return the books to the location from where they were borrowed
at their own expense.

In 1928, six deposit stations were in general stores, three in post
offices, three in combination filling stations/stores, two in private homes,
and one in the Farmer's Equity Exchange. Members of the County
Department staff visited each one frequently to check books and change the
collection as needed. In that year, the Grabill Post Office deposit station was
one stop on a library service tour taken by six leading Mexican librarians
who were visiting the area. Seventeen deposit collections were in use by
1929, numbering from one hundred to six hundred books. An article by the
Library's Public Information Officer described three of these:

"One deposit station is in the Farmer's Equity Exchange, a
ramshackle building beside the railroad tracks."

"In a little town named Edgerton only a small collection of books
is placed in the combination post office and store, because there is not the
demand for them. On one trip to change the books in the deposit the
assistant found practically every book gone from the shelves and men
standing around waiting for more. The explanation was a gang of railroad
workers who had been laid off in this town because of bad weather and had
found the deposit station with its books a more pleasant place to spend their
time than in box cars."

"Not long ago two fur farms were established in small towns in the
county. Requests for books on this subject began to come in, so several fur
books were placed in the deposits near the farms to answer the demand. The
county department thus tries to anticipate book demands as far as
possible. "^^

In 1931, the public library maintained three deposit stations with
reading rooms, as well as sixteen other deposit stations. The 1935-1936
Extension Department financial program included a provision for the
establishment of six additional neighborhood book depositories.

It was in the year 1935 that the library began to reduce its number
of deposit stations for financial reasons. It is not known when the last of the
deposit stations closed.

^^Bertine Weston, "Equal Library Privileges Provided for the Farm and
for the City," School Life 14 (January 1929): 87.

118

Extension Service to Children

By the early 1920s, library books for children were located in
playgrounds, public schools, some parochial schools, day nurseries, the
local synagogue, Pixley Relief home, the Allen County orphans' home, and
the girls' detention home. By 1928, books were delivered to children
through the Young Women's Christian Association, the Young Men's
Christian Association, the Boy and Girl Scouts, Girl Reserves, orphan
asylums, Fort Wayne Settlement, vacation bible schools, summer camps,
and city playgrounds.

In 1949, the public library maintained nineteen playground deposit
stations during the summer, as well as four camp branches. In November
1967, the Pre-School Center for Crippled Children became a branch or
deposit library and was stocked with five hundred volumes.

Hospital Service

In February 1922, the library made plans to establish a branch
library or deposit collection in the Irene Byron Hospital for use by patients.
Many people who had heard about the plan wanted to share in building this
collection of books. "We want only the best books - cheerftil, pleasant
stories of all sorts, recent books of travel, interesting biographies, etc.,"'*
County Librarian Corinne Metz told them.

In May 1924, the first general hospital service was provided to St.

Joseph's Hospital by the Extension Department. Soon afterward, the

Methodist and Lutheran Hospitals began being served as deposit stations.

Two members of the library's staff

made weekly trips to the hospitals,

visiting wards with a small

handcart of books and magazines

that were left with the patients.

One comment made at the time

was that "this service has given so

much cheer and happiness to the

sick that it is almost as popular

with the nurses as it is with the

patients."^ In October 1925,

Sister Aletha of St. Joseph Hospital „ .. . ^ o^ » l »» -^ i

, . , ^ J Patients at St. Joseph Hospital use

have a talk at a hospital round .. ,.. . . . ^^^0

^ the library extension service, 1928.

•Library at Irene Byron," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Feb. 28, 1922.

"Virginia C. Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since
1907," from John H. Jacobs' "Libraries in Allen County," Fort Wayne
News Sentinel, 1931.

119

table during the Tri-State library meeting on "How the Fort Wayne Public
Library is serving our Hospital."

Although the library eliminated some deposit stations during the
Depression, hospital extension work was deemed indispensable and for the
time being, was retained. In 1968, the Parkview and Lutheran Nurses'
Homes still received book and magazine service from the public library, and
as late as 1982, St. Joseph Hospital received service as part of the library's
outreach effort.

Talking Books Service

Talking Books provides a vast array of recorded material ...to people who
cannot use printed material.

The Talking Books program was established at the Public Library
of Fort Wayne and Allen County in 1968. In June of that year, the Board
of Trustees approved an appropriation of $2,424.50 from the Library
Services and Construction Act Fund to pay the salary of a clerk for the
program. The name of the first Talking Books clerk is unknown.

Prior to the establishment of the Talking Books service, the library
had other materials available for use by patrons with visual disabilities, such
as books, newspapers, and the World Book Encyclopedia in large-print
format.

Kheila Myers took charge of the Talking Books service in early

1969. By mid- 1970, Jeanne Cox headed the Talking Books service,
sometimes referred to as the Records for the Blind Department. In March

1970, the library Board again approved an appropriation of funds from the
Library Services and Construction Act Fund for $6,160 for salaries of staff
members working with the Talking Books program. In April 1971, an
appropriation of $8,623 from the same fund was approved by the library
board for salaries and large-print books to provide library services to people
with physical disabilities.

In 1970, the Talking Books program served ten counties, but a 1972
article noted that it was one of the library's lesser-known services, and that
the majority of the program's 488 patrons were from Allen County. In
1972, 24,945 containers were sent to these borrowers, most of whom were
blind. The Talking Books program was financed chiefly by federal funds.
Since it was feared that this source of income could be withdrawn in 1973,
there was some speculation that the Talking Books service might not be
continued. Talking Books did continue to be a service offered by the library,
however, and when the new addition was constructed, it moved from a non-
public area in the basement and received a more visible location on the first
floor.

In January 1981, when the library's new addition opened. Talking

120

Books was located just around the corner from Young Adult Services in the
new wing. A newspaper article explained the service: "As part of the
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Talking
Books provides a vast array of recorded material on discs and tape cassettes
to people who cannot use printed material. "'* Featured were classics, best-
sellers, and even current magazines. The library also supplied the tape- and
record-playing machinery necessary to listen to the Talking Books materials.
A low-vision magnifying device was available for public use. It magnified
printed images to forty times their original size. The library planned to
acquire additional equipment for the blind and other print-handicapped
people as computer and television technology progressed.

Although the Talking Books service circulated most of its materials
through the mail, some of its patrons visited the library for Talking Books
supplies. In all, 677 patrons participated in the Talking Books program in
1981 and 32,529 Talking Books were circulated. A wide cross-section of
fiction and non-fiction was available, including forty-four magazine titles,
10,000 records of recorded books, and 8,000 cassette tapes of recorded
books. Patrons could choose books and magazines from the department's
indices without visiting the library, or indicate their favorite genres and
allow staff members to choose the materials for them. The Talking Books
area occupied 2,500 square feet in the addition to the main library. The
Allen County Public Library Talking Books service acted as a subregional
library for Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Huntington, Wells, and
Adams Counties. In 1981, Isabelle Otter was manager.

In January 1982, local World Book Encyclopedia sales agents
donated a Talking World Book - the first and only encyclopedia recorded on
tape to date - to the library. It was housed in the Talking Books area. By
May of that year, the library was planning for a computer that "read" books
with a mechanical voice, which was expected to be in place within six to
eight weeks. The device was capable of scanning most types of print and
speaking the contents to library patrons with sight impairments. The
Kurzweil Reading Machine arrived in November and was the second in
Indiana. Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis had the first.
By the time of its arrival, thirty-five people had expressed interest in using
the Kurzweil machine.

It was in 1983 that the Talking Books service became part of the
Readers' Services Department. Patrons in eight surrounding counties who
were blind or physically handicapped continued to receive materials through
this service. Available were recorded books, large print books, and a Pelco
magnifying machine.

In 1987, Talking Books functions were again moved from a public

^^"Open House Marks Library Dedication."

121

to a non-public area. Library Director Jeffrey KruU said the reasoning
behind the move of Talking Books to the basement was that patrons of this
service received tapes and records through the mail, rather than by visiting
the library.

Marilyn Allmandinger, Talking Books clerk, logged nearly four
hundred miles in 1990, travelling around the area speaking about the
service. She is the clerk of the Readers' Services Department and remains
the contact for Talking Books.

Television Services

[Television Services] provides non-commercial public access programming;
programs which reflect the ideas, talents, and opinions of people in our
community on our most popular medium, television.

In 1979, the Allen County Public Library drafted an agreement with
Citizen's Cable of Fort Wayne and the Citizen's Council for Program
Development for a tentative plan to house cable television public access
facilities in the library's new addition, which was under construction. Free
air time would be available on the channel for programs produced by groups
or individuals in the community. In 1980, the library Board opened the
bidding process for equipment for the television studio, to be housed in the
library addition. The Board awarded a $124,606 contract for video studio
equipment to Thalner Electronics Laboratory of Ann Arbor, Michigan, in
August 1980.

A local newspaper article described the television studio facilities
in January 1981. They included a studio, control room, and offices, and
were known as the Telecommunication Center. "A new library service, the
Telecommunication Center is the focal point for public access television in
Fort Wayne and Allen County. In cooperation with Fort Wayne Cablevision
and the Citizens' Council for Program Development, the Library provides
the Telecommunication Center as a medium through which individuals and
groups can communicate with the entire community."* A goal of the
Center was to provide television programs of public interest as a part of the
library's continuing service to the community. These programs would
represent a wide variety of viewer interest, ranging from documentaries on
local history to programs for children. Among the services of the new
department were training in the use of video equipment and assistance in the
production of shows. Equipment training sessions began in February 1981.
The television shows produced ultimately were broadcast on cable Channel

'Ibid.

122

10. The library also planned to use Channel 10 for advertisement and
coverage of its programs and services, beginning with live coverage of the
grand opening and dedication ceremonies of the library addition on January
18, 1981. Pamela Bieri was Public Access Coordinator at the Center's
opening.

The opening of the Telecommunication Center was not the first time
the public library had become involved in producing television programs,
however. The facility was a part of the first Citizen Council for Program
Development in 1972. It produced more than six hundred programs, from
training tapes to documentary work to films of historical events from 1972
to 1980. These were shown at "video concerts" at the library, over cable
systems in the surrounding area, and occasionally as clips on the local news
networks. However, no local public access cable channel existed until 1981.

One of the first programs broadcast on Channel 10 was a series of
live "balanced and informed" discussions on current and continuing issues
facing the Fort Wayne and Allen County community that was produced by
Theatre for Ideas. Other early programs planned included "One on One in
Fort Wayne," an interview program; story hours for children; and "Book
Talk," a program on new additions to the library and how they were chosen.
Public service announcements were broadcast late at night and early in the
morning. Another early programming idea was the possibility of televising
Fort Wayne City Council sessions, but Mayor Winfield Moses was against
this plan. He told reporters that he worried that the heavily Republican
library board of directors would wield political influence over shows carried
on Channel 10. Ben Eisbart, chairman of the City Council's cable television
committee, disagreed. He noted that the library had hired professionals
trained in cable television to conduct public access work, and that he did not
believe their coverage would be biased. Eventually, the idea was scrapped
because of Council members' questions about the appropriateness of a
governmental entity (the library) bidding against private companies for the
contract for televising the meetings.

In 1981, the first year of the Television Services Department, the
library underwent a strategic planning process for its next several years. The
resulting plan called for an increase in the amount of original programming
broadcast on Channel 10. That year, 444 public access programs were
produced. From the beginning, the library had big plans for Channel 10 and
the Television Services Department. Library Director Rick J. Ashton looked
into the future early in the department's history to predict that, although its
initial purpose was to provide an extra medium for information and
entertainment, the cable system might someday become a two-way link with
home computer systems.

In January 1982, children from two local schools were involved in
the production of television programs in conjunction with the Television
Services Department. A seventh grade English class at Canterbury School

123

produced its own commercials, while Memorial Park Magnet School also
was beginning a production. Channel 10 employees provided some hints and
some technical training on the use of the equipment, but the children did the
work themselves. Since most high school students had access to video
studios in their schools, it was the department's goal to concentrate on
younger children. The students' productions were aired during after school
hours.

The same month, a local newspaper featured an article on four
twelve-year-old students who were producing their own science fiction
television program, filmed with $5,000 worth of equipment borrowed from
the Allen County Public Library's Telecommunication Center. Bob Ihrie, of
the Telecommunication Center, told the reporter that he knew of only two
other places - Bloomington, Indiana, and a town near Madison, Wisconsin -
where children could produce their own shows. The children did all of the
work themselves, except the addition of credits and the editing of the films,
both of which were done by staff with the children's supervision.

Since the beginning of its existence, the Television Services
Department has been one of the most popular areas of the library for
volunteers to work. In the fall of 1982, however, a public controversy
developed when several volunteers were asked to leave and not return. The
situation began when Telecommunication Center secretary Pat Schmidt was
fired. Several Channel 10 volunteers testified in Schmidt's behalf at her state
employment compensation hearing, saying that "an atmosphere of
antagonism, favoritism and tension'"*^ existed at the Telecommunication
Center, and they were accused of interfering in library personnel business.
A local newspaper columnist described the situation in a column titled
"Telling the Truth Gets Costly."

Although it undoubtedly was an uncomfortable period for the
volunteers and library staff members involved, the controversy did not
discourage the steady stream of volunteers to Television Services. By
January 1984, about one hundred volunteers worked regularly in the public
access television studio. In December 1982, the department hosted a
workshop on video camera techniques for potential volunteers, who were
needed to assist in the production of specials for Channel 10. Participants
were asked to pay a $5 registration fee, which was refunded upon
completion of the workshop. Once a training workshop was completed,
participants could take video equipment from the library and use it for "field
work." Workshops were available on an ongoing basis. In 1982, 655
television programs were generated and broadcast over Channel 10. This
was a forty-eight percent increase over 1981.

'"Dan Luzadder, "Telling the Truth Gets Costly," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Sep. 9, 1982.

124

Beginning in January 1983, the main library began opening for
Sunday hours. One of two exceptions to this new schedule was the
Telecommunication Center. However, the department continued its services
to the community during the week. In April 1983, Channel 10 broadcast
religious shows, fine arts programs, and shows on business, community
affairs, physical fitness, and exercise. "Here was an opportunity for the
butcher, the baker, the supermarket checkout to be on television to read
poems, act in plays, sing songs, sermonize, politicize - all without the strict
censorship of commercial television."^' In 1983, 687 public access
television programs were produced. In 1985, the number climbed to 943;
in 1986, to 1,164; in 1988, it was 854; and in 1989, it was 879.

In 1991 , library staff members began the process of creating another
strategic plan for the following five years. Strategies in this plan involving
the Television Services Department included increasing the use of Channel
10 to promote library resources, services, and programs, and securing
funding from appropriate non-library sources to support the operation of
public access and educational access television channels. Finances have been
a challenge for this department in the early 1990s. In February 1993, to ease
the financial strain, it was again suggested that Channel 10 televise Fort
Wayne City Council meetings, for which the city would pay $18,000 to
$20,000 per year. A second project being launched at the same time was a
grant proposal to the Cable Television Program Advisory Committee
(CTPAC) for money to replace equipment, provide new equipment, and
fund a staff position. In the past, CTPAC had funded equipment, but not
staff salaries.

Some of the programming broadcast on Channel 10 since the
beginning of its second decade has included a Children's Services puppet
show, French news programs, the Three Rivers Festival parade, a public
service announcement about the library's new automated catalog, and a
program on criminal violence sponsored by the National Issues Forum.

Rick Hayes became manager of public access Channel 10 in 1987.
Ross Rowe had been the previous manager of Channel 10, followed by
Marie Schroeder as acting manager. In the fall of 1987, the library took
over management of a second television channel, educational access Channel
20, which went on the air in January 1988. According to Hayes, Channel
20 had had no local programming in the seven years prior to its acquisition
by the library. It was dedicated to providing educational programming for
children in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Teachers and students were
trained by Television Services employees to produce their own programs,
which were aired in addition to imported high quality educational

^'Dell Ford, "Tuning Out Stardom in Channel 10 Studios," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, Apr. 8, 1983.

125

programming. The operation of the channel has been returned to Fort
Wayne Community Schools.

Television Services staff members and community producers have
earned numerous awards - some of them national - for their efforts in the
production of television programs.

Young Adult Services

An atmosphere conducive to learning.

As early as the 1920s, older children had an area of the Children's
Room where they could look at books for their age group, or at periodicals,
such as Youth's Companion, St. Nicholas, Popular Mechanics, Boy's Life,
and Popular Science Monthly. Beginning in 1926, a librarian was scheduled
in the adult stacks to help older boys and girls select books. Staff members
also gave library instruction to seventh- and eighth-grade students in the
local public schools at this time. These were the beginnings of what would
be the "Intermediate," "High School," or ultimately the Young Adults'
Room.

By the early 1950s, students were visiting the library in larger
numbers as teachers began to demand more outside work. Adult patronage
began to diminish slightly in the face of the teenage onslaught in the
reference area, and the library's administration saw "the desirability of
segregating the high school students. "*^^ A large room on the east side of
the main library's first floor was set aside particularly for teenagers, and
named the Young Adults' Room by local students, to indicate that the room
was for serious study and not social activity.

The Young Adults' Room officially opened February 25, 1952, with
the goal of providing material and services to area middle and high school
students. An electric sign in the form of a red arrow directed young adults
to their room, "comfortable, inviting quarters," where they could "read,
study or just browse without fear of disturbing other adult patrons."*" The
room's book collection was based on the reading lists of the city public and
parochial schools, combined with current teenage reading interests. Topics
included science fiction, romances, travel stories, adventures, biographies,

^^Sixty-Third Annual Report of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County, 8.

^^"' Follow the Red Arrow' to the Young Adults' Room," pamphlet
prepared by the staff of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County, April 1952.

126

mechanics, and handicrafts. The room also had a reference collection, and
staff members were available to answer reference questions. From its
beginning, the department included information on colleges and their
educational requirements, vocational schools, careers, and trades. The
Young Adults' Room was open Monday through Friday from 1 to 9 p.m.
and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Subscriptions to various magazines
were maintained, and the room had collections of the local high schools'
newspapers. A bulletin board was available for the posting of notices of high
school events.

Use of the Young Adults' Room increased through the mid-1950s.
In 1956, the room saw an increase of thirty percent in pamphlet use, two
hundred percent in clipping use, and three hundred percent in the use of the
picture collection. The room's main features in 1961 were the reference
books and periodicals that demand had indicated were most needed by
students, titles from the local schools' English and Latin reading lists, and
vocational guidance information. In 1961, the Young Adults' Room was
open during the school year only. Students' needs were met by other
departments during the summer.

By November 1963, teenagers were a rapidly-growing group of
library patrons. The Young Adults' Room seated about 150, and was usually
full. Plans for the new main library building were underway, and in the new
building, the Young Adults' Room would be the largest of all rooms.
Seating would be doubled to three hundred capacity. In that busy year of
1963, staff members answered 7,952 questions in the Young Adults' Room.
This number increased to 8,278 in 1964, and decreased somewhat to 7,618
in 1965. In 1967, reference questions answered were back up to 8,466.

Teenage hijinks in 1965 apparently included cavorting barefooted
through the library. The library board in July ruled that "high school
students must wear shoes and socks when using the facilities of the Fort
Wayne Public Library.'"^ Head Librarian Fred Reynolds had reported "a
little trouble this summer in the shoe and sock department," and had asked
the board for approval to give library security officers the authority to tell
young people to keep their shoes and socks on while in the building.

During the mid-1960s, while the new main library building was
being constructed, the Young Adults' Room was located in the Purdue
building at the comer of Jefferson Boulevard and Barr Street, along with
many other main library functions. The young adults' area was housed in
the building's former ballroom, where longtime Young Adult Services
Manager Betty Henning later remembered, "students danced their way

^"Library Rules Users Be Shod," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Jul. 25,
1965.

127

through Hemingway and Hawthorne.'"" Some of the department's books,
including Shakespeare, were shelved on the ballroom stage. The room's
collection of the time was partially formed in conjunction with school
reading lists. During the 1960s, librarians began supplying questions for a
local radio quiz show called "Hi Quiz. "

Robert H. Vegeler, Assistant Director, led Young Adults' Room
activities with the help of Peter Olevnik until 1967, when Head Librarian
Fred Reynolds named Betty Henning the first official manager of the Young
Adults' Room. She had been successful in campaigning with four directors
and various library boards to get the special area for young adults.

In April 1968, the new main library was not yet open. The Young
Adults' Room, still located in the Purdue Building, sponsored a National
Library Week essay contest for seventh- through twelfth-graders with the
theme "What I Expect of My Library." The best local entry was to advance
to the state contest. The winning entry at the state level would win $100,
while the second-place entry would win $20. The Young Adults' Room of
the late 1960s "[was] not an area containing all material for the high school
age library user. Rather it [was] a space set aside as a study room." It did
house standard reference works, but beyond those, young readers requested
material from the main collection which was brought to them, or they were
taken to the material. The goal, or at least the result, of this system was that
it concentrated young adults' use of the library into one area where these
young patrons would not disturb other library users. A consultants' report
prior to the opening of the new main library building in 1968 suggested that
this system put an unnecessary burden on staff, and added that "with the
intensive literature use now required it is not possible to serve high school
students without access to material which a decade ago would have been
considered college level. "*^

At the opening of the new main library building, the Young Adults'
Room was located on the west end of the north wing on the first floor. It
included many of the same features as it had in the old Carnegie building,
including reference books, periodicals, pamphlet and clipping files, and
reading list titles. The new room had individual study carrels, comfortable
and colorful furniture, and "an atmosphere conducive to learning.""'

^Betty Henning, "YAS Pioneer Betty Henning Retires," Bookends, June
1993.

"^Library Building Consultants, Inc., Survey of the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County, 1964, 19.

^Fort Wayne Public Library, a booklet produced at the time of the
dedication of the main library building, 1968.

128

It was during the 1970s that the young adult program of the public
library expanded from a "room" to a wider concept and began being called
Young Adult Services. Reference service to young adults continued to
increase through the 1970s. The staff answered 14,423 questions in 1972
and 12,584 questions in 1974. Several changes took place in the department
during the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting the changing times. For example, in
June 1971, Young Adult Services had a collection of books on narcotics.
During the 1980s, the department had a conference on teenage sexuality.
Books no longer were being given a warning "Q" rating, reflecting their
"questionable" subject matter, and vertical files containing controversial
subjects lost their red labels that required students to ask permission to use
them.

Use of Young Adult Services had decreased somewhat by January
1980. Library officials speculated that this was due in part to the increased
quality of the local schools' libraries. For this reason, when the main library
addition opened the following year, the department was condensed.

A newspaper article in January 1981 described the new Young
Adult Services area: "At ground level, just inside the new Wayne Street
entrance. Young Adults' Services continues a long-established Library
activity in attractive new quarters. Brightly-colored lounge furniture, live
plants, and browsing collections of magazines and books complement the
table seating where students working on high school or middle school
assignments can pursue their projects with the assistance of the professional
staff. "^^ While the main library building opened in 1968 had been
described as cold, Young Adult Services Manager Betty Henning said of her
department's new area in 1981, "We think this room is warm and airy and
just delightful."*^ The warmer atmosphere partly was attributed to the light
from glass walls and skylights.

In 1982, Young Adult Services began hosting a separate Summer
Reading Program for older students, led by Rosie Parrish. Other
programming during the 1980s included school art exhibits, middle school
music concerts, holiday craft programs, term paper workshops, the annual
poetry contest. Dungeons and Dragons Days, class orientations, and tours.
Parrish, Assistant Manager from 1982 to 1992, assisted with the educational
program Academic Superbowl. Author visits also have been hosted by the
Young Adult Services Department. Author Marion Dane Bauer spoke in
November 1989 to middle school students, teachers, and librarians about
writing for young adults. In 1989, the Young People's Endowment Fund
was established. Although contributions are welcome, no money is in the

*^*"Open House Marks Library Dedication.
^"Library's Wing Warmer."

129

fund currently.

The Young Adult Services Department of the 1990s counts among
its goals providing specialized service to meet the needs of middle and high
school students, through reference service, provision of recreational reading
materials, computer availability and instruction, career and higher education
materials, and programs such as the Youth Volunteer Fair and term paper
tips.

Staff of the Young Adult Services Department and various branches
have continued to strive to meet the special needs of young adults into the
1990s. In 1991, Young Adult Services librarians Eva Collis and Peggy Zych
prepared an Academic Super Bowl collection which was on reserve for all
students to use. South Side High School won the state competition and
attributed the win partly to this collection. That summer, the Lilly
Endowment awarded more than $250,000 in grant money to Indiana
University's School of Library and Information Science for a program called
SOAR (Stimulating Opportunities for Adolescents to Read), which sought
to encourage cooperation between public schools and public libraries. Three
staff members from the Allen County Public Library - Suzanne Murray of
Young Adult Services, Scott Mertz of Shawnee Branch, and Phyllis Sherwin
of Dupont Branch - worked with local schools in connection with this
project.

Technology has had an impact on the department in the 1990s. In
the spring of 1992, the staff was developing a learning program to help its
clientele use the library system's automated catalog, which became available
in August 1991. The young adults' Summer Reading Program was marketed
in local schools in the spring of 1992 through a videotape based on a
popular television phenomenon, Wayne's World, from the show "Saturday
Night Live."

Betty Henning, manager of Young Adult Services for more than
twenty-five years, retired in May 1993. Eva Collis performed duties as
acting manager until Stella Baker was hired.

Today, as it has since the early 1960s, the materials collection of
the Young Adult Services Department covers the entire Dewey subject
classification scale, and includes nonfiction books for research and
information, fiction, a non-circulating reference collection, a pamphlet and
clipping collection, games and puzzles, and a Career Center, including
information on colleges and vocational schools, financial aid, the Student
Aptitude Test, and careers. Staff members perform outreach to attract and
serve students by working with the local schools and other agencies. They
provide orientations to use of the library, tours, and study sessions.
Teachers can make arrangements for their classes to visit the library.
Programs for young adults cover a gamut of topics, from term paper tips,
to the annual poetry contest and young adults' Summer Reading Program.
Computers are available for general use and for online database searching.

130

The department regularly displays middle and high school artwork, as well
as other age-related exhibits.

Operations Support

Adult Materials Bibliographer

The Adult Materials Bibliographer is responsible for the
maintenance of a balanced book collection, and selects for purchase adult
books for seventeen departments and branches. From 1983 until his
retirement at the end of 1993, Richard Seagly was Adult Materials
Bibliographer. Joyce Misner currently is acting Adult Materials
Bibliographer.

Business Specialist

The Business Specialist position was created in 1990 with the
following duties: Provide in-depth reference service requiring at least a
thirty-minute uninterrupted reference interview; perform database searches
which require editing and post-processing and/or involve manipulation of
data by other programs, such as databases, spreadsheet, word processing,
compression storage, etc. ; provide the monthly Consumer Price Index to the
Business and Technology Department and a variety of business and
government organizations; assist library staff members in the installation and
operation of CD-ROM and online applications; represent the library to local,
state, and national business and governmental organizations; participate in
the cooperative development of plans and programs with business and
government agencies, providing proactive and philosophical leadership
whenever possible; and proactively plan, develop, and distribute innovative
information sources or access those sources in the most effective, efficient,
and cost-effective ways.^° The current Business Specialist is John Nichols
Dickmeyer.

Children's Services Coordinator

This position was created in 1992 to coordinate children's
programming throughout the Allen County Public Library system; to
oversee the acquisition of juvenile materials; and to promote library services
to children. Sharon Harvey was the first Children's Services Coordinator,

^"Cheryl L. Hackworth and Katherine W. Smith, "ACPL
Accomplishments in 1991 [i.e., 1990]," memo to all staff, Apr. 5, 1991.

131

and remains in the position today. She serves as a liaison between the
Children's Services Department and the library's thirteen branches.

Interdepartmental Librarian

The Interdepartmental Librarian works at various library public
service desks as needed. This person is assigned to no one particular
department. Cheryl Murray filled the position until 1991, when she left to
become a part of the Business and Technology Department staff and Stephen
Gould Miller was hired as Interdepartmental Librarian.

Supplemental Librarian

The position of Supplemental Librarian was created to allow the
library to hire a specialist in a particular area to meet a temporary need.
Although the position always exists in the staffing table of the Allen County
Ihiblic Library, its job description changes with each individual who is hired
to fill it. Stephanie Gall Miller was Supplemental Librarian in the early
1990s and worked as a librarian at the system's Dupont Branch in that
capacity. Ryan Taylor became Supplemental Librarian in 1994 as a
reference librarian to take the place of a regular employee who was on
leave, and subsequently to catalog the Historical Genealogy Department's
backlog of acquisitions. He remains Supplemental Librarian currently.

Support Services

Community Relations & Development Services

Community relations, or publicity, is something every service
organization needs to spread the message to the public that the organization
exists, and to make known the services it provides. In the mid- 1920s, the
administration of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
recognized this and created the Publicity Department. Library employee
Bertine Weston left her position in the Children's Room to take charge of
the new department. One of its first functions was to begin the publication
of several newsletters, including School Library Leaves, a monthly bulletin
for the schools, and a quarterly staff publication called Library Leaves.

Weston resigned from the library system in 1929 to become editor
of Library Journal. The Publicity Department may have ceased to exist as
an official entity at this time; no further mention of it has been found until
the late 1970s. However, some public relations work continued without
benefit of a formal Publicity Department. In the late 1940s and early 1950s,

132

Robert Vegeler, in his position as head of the Phonograph Record Room,
hosted a live weekly radio program to publicize the library and its services.
It ran for several years. As early as 1956, the library employed a staff artist
who created illustrations and cover designs for all library publications,
including public relations documents. She also prepared art work for all of
the book displays at the main library. About 1979, Gail A. Milne became
the system's Public Information Specialist, a part time position that was
created to coordinate the publicity for the opening of the library's addition.
Within six months, the position became fulltime.

In the early 1980s, a graphic artist and clerk were added to the
Public Relations Department. This area became an administrative division
in 1981. In 1987, the position of Public Information Assistant was added
and Cheryl Hackworth was hired to fill that position. In July of that year,
Milne left the library system and Hackworth became acting manager of the
Public Relations Department. One month later, Hackworth was promoted to
manager of the newly-named Community Relations Department.

Prior to 1989, much of the Community Relations Department was
located in the area on the second floor of the main library now housing the
administrative offices. In 1989-1990, during a general remodeling process
at the main library, the Community Relations Department received new
quarters on the north end of the second floor in an area formerly occupied
by Art, Music and Audiovisual Services. The department added a Planned
Giving officer in 1993.

The marketing of the library and its services were suggested topics
during the process of creating a five-year strategic plan in the early 1990s.
One question considered was: What is the image of the library? The follow-
up was: What would we like it to be? The resulting discussion prompted the
goal of publicizing the resources and services offered by the library to
increase the awareness of current users and to attract new users. Strategies
for achieving this goal included continuing such actions as publishing a high-
quality, illustrated annual report to be distributed to the Friends of the Allen
County Public Library, as well as community, business and political leaders;
publishing and distributing a regular calendar of events; arranging
appearances by staff on commercial radio and television; and issuing news
releases for library events, programs and services to local and national
media, elected officials, and other audiences as appropriate. New strategies
were to produce a more comprehensive information packet for new library
patrons; to communicate information on library services and programs
through a telephone message-on-hold program; and to increase usage of
Channel 10 to promote library resources, services and programs.

One of these strategies came to fruition in the fall of 1992 with the
adoption of an automated attendant on the library's telephone system.
Currently when patrons call the library, the telephone is answered by an
automated attendant, which prompts callers who have touch-tone telephones

133

with various choices. This allows calls to be routed through the building
more quickly than having the library's switchboard operator answer each
call and extract the information needed to determine which department the
caller needs. When a caller is placed on hold - either because the
department's line is busy, or by a librarian who is searching for the patron's
information - the caller hears messages about events and exhibits upcoming
or currently occurring at the main library and its branches.

Various publications created by the library in the 1990s have been
winners in the Library Public Relations Council's annual public relations
contest. In 1991, the Renaissance Center for the Book's Fascinating Facts
and Figures brochure, the poetry contest flyer, and the p)oetry contest
booklet were winners. In 1993, the poetry contest book, storytelling festival
brochure and mailer, and the German and Newspaper Pathfinders created
by the Historical Genealogy Department were selected as public relations
bests by Council. Winning pieces were displayed at the American Library
Association conferences.

Renamed Community Relations and Development in 1993, the
department's functions under the leadership of manager Cheryl Hackworth
in the 1990s are to provide information about and publicity for the library
and library events, to raise funds, and to be the liaison between the Allen
County Public Library and two of its satellite organizations, the Allen
County Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Allen County
Public Library. Staff members also give group tours of the library.

Print Shop

The library maintains a printing plant which ... makes a massive
contribution to the enlightenment of the community.

Head Librarian Rex Potterf and Assistant Head Librarian Fred J.
Reynolds were the forces behind the creation of the library's Print Shop in
the 1950s. It began on the third floor of the library's Annex building with
one printing machine, "very little know-how and very little equipment."^'
One of the Print Shop's first functions was the creation of "a surprising
variety of historical pamphlets published in-house."^^ In 1956, the library
increasingly used the offset printing process, as an American Type Founders
process camera made this procedure cheap and practical. The Press Room,
as it was then called, had printed as many as 150 of the historical

^^Newsboard, staff newsletter of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and
Allen County 2 (May-June 1966): 4.

^^Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence."

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pamphlets, booklists for adult books, and an extensive series of annotated
juvenile booklists by 1956. The annual report for 1956 recommended
amplification of the publishing program, noting that these duties could be
added to the workload of people already on the library's staff without
overburdening them. Potterf saw the printing of historical pamphlets as
integral to the library's mission of education and information. At that time,
the Press Room was directed by the Assistant Librarian, then Fred
Reynolds. The only fulltime employees of this area were an apprentice and
one other person who assembled pages into pamphlets once they had been
printed. Three part time workers were engaged in photography, plate
making, machine operation, and machine service and repairs.

By 1966, the Press Room included printing machines, a stripping
table, plate makers, a camera, a complete darkroom, folders, paper stock,
and stapling and paper cutting machines. Donald Rust, the current Print
Shop manager, was in operator in charge at that time. Prior to construction
of the new main library, the Print Shop was moved to the Hollywood
building to allow razing of the Washington Annex. In 1968, it was moved
into the subbasement of the new building.

Although the historical pamphlets researched and written by library
staff members and printed in the facility's Print Shop had been free to
patrons in the beginning, in 1974 the library Board voted to begin charging
five to twenty-five cents for them in order to recover printing and paper
costs. Six million free pamphlets had been distributed before that decision.
In 1974, all pamphlets and some books were printed with a three-press
offset operation.

In the early 1960s, the Print Shop was credited with advancing the
culture of the area. "The library maintains a printing plant which, fed by
research, makes a massive contribution to the enlightenment of the
community, "^^ a newspaper article noted. But in 1977, the value of the
library's printing operation came under question by the Taxpayers Research
Association. The Association was opposed to a bond issue which was
proposed by the library's Board for the construction of a new wing to ease
crowding in the library. The group wanted to know what services were
provided by the printing facilities at that time, and urged discussion on
whether those services should be continued. The TRA, represented at a
library board meeting by its Executive Vice President, R. Dean Hall,
believed the library should consider closing down the Print Shop because it

^^" Library Keeps Abreast of Quest for Learning," Fort Wayne Journal
Gazette, Dec. 30, 1967.

135

was "not a crucial function of the library."^* Perhaps, the TRA's members
reasoned, if some unnecessary library services were discontinued, crowding
would not be a problem and the bond issue could be avoided.

However, the Print Shop was deemed worthy of continuation, the
bond issue was approved, and the addition to the main library was built. In
fact, in 1985 the print shop was expanded. Today it prints pamphlets,
brochures, flyers, posters, mailers, the library's annual reports, and the
majority of the signage for the library system. It also contracts for work
from organizations outside the Allen County Public Library.

Financial Services

Although Financial Services is a relative newcomer among
departments of the Allen County Public Library, Manager Earl Reitenour
believes the basic financial functions of the library have been similar
throughout history. A list of the duties performed by the Financial Services
Department today includes payroll processing, payables processing, deposit
processing, cash management and investment of funds, debt issuance, fixed
asset record keeping, budget preparation and tracking, and financial
reporting.

In the early days of the public library in Fort Wayne and Allen
County, financial operations were not handled by a specialized department,
but were among the duties performed by the Head Librarian, perhaps with
the occasional assistance of other staff members. From 1947 until her
retirement in 1983, Jacqueline J. Stabler Belschner was the library's
Financial Secretary, a position that was classified within the Department of
Technical Processes. Her predecessor in the Financial Secretary position was
Margaret Becker. Belschner's job entailed keeping the library's books,
including payroll and accounting work, receiving receipts, ordering supplies,
and placing all legal advertising; acting as clerk for the Board of Trustees
and keeping the Board's meeting minutes; and working on the annual library
budget. In 1956, the library's annual report noted that a check- writing
machine had been purchased with the goal of freeing the Financial Secretary
for other work, however Reitenour questions how much time such a
machine actually saved, since writing checks was only a small part of
Belschner's duties.

Prior to the formation of a combination city/county library Board
in 1980, the library's financial staff performed separate accounting,
budgeting, payroll, and other basic fiscal fiinctions for the city library

^''Nancy Laughlin, "Library Bond Issue OK'd Despite Protests," Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette, Apr. 26, 1977.

136

system and the county library system. Following the merger, it was
necessary to perform financial functions for only one entity - the Allen
County Public Library.

Departments in the library were reorganized in 1983-84 during the
tenure of Director Rick J. Ashton. It probably was at this time that the
Financial Services Department was created. Douglas M. Lehman began
work as the library's Financial Services Department manager in 1984.
Under his direction, the library installed a multi-user fund accounting system
and made the transition from manual record keeping to an automated
financial reporting system. This system included integrated modules for
general ledger, accounts payable, purchase orders, and accounts receivable.
Lehman resigned in 1987 to take a position as Director of Finance and
Administration of the Fort Wayne- Allen County Airport Authority. His
successor at the Allen County Public Library was Kathy Selzer Miller, who
remained with the institution only a few months. The current department
manager. Earl Reitenour, was hired in 1988. Reitenour is a certified public
accountant who had been employed on the audit staff of the local office of
an international accounting firm before coming to the library. Reitenour
serves as the elected treasurer of the library's Board of Trustees.

In addition to the specific functions mentioned at the beginning of
this sketch, the Financial Services Department also manages the library
system's resources according to Indiana law and submits reports to the
Board of Trustees; develops financial projections for use in developing
budgets; maintains an internal accounting control structure, including
financial record keeping for the main library and its branches; maintains the
financial records of the Allen County Public Library Foundation; and
produces A Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This report, begun in
1992, received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United
States and Canada. Reitenour said the department intends to produce the
report each year to reflect that the library system's financial reporting meets
the highest standards of governmental accounting. The Indiana State Board
of Accounts audits the financial records of the Allen County Public Library
annually.

According to Reitenour, the mission of the Financial Services
Department is twofold, to provide outstanding support to the operation of
the library, and to provide exemplary external financial reporting for
taxpayers, bondholders, donors, and patrons.

137

Personnel Services

It is not alone necessary to have knowledge of the books to build up an
efficient, alive, forward-moving library, but it also requires judgment of
character and of capability and an insight into personality.

The first Personnel Office of the library was established January 2,
1980, through the efforts of Robert Vegeler and Rick Ashton. Prior to this
time, the library's switchboard operator handled the system's few personnel
functions. Two significant early actions by the Personnel Office were the
establishment of a job classification system and a salary schedule, which
went into effect in January 1981. Another early change was to allow agency
managers to interview and select staff for their departments, something that
formerly had been done by the Head Librarian.

Personnel Services is the liaison between each individual employee
and the library as a workplace. Personnel Services Manager Charlene Holly
and her assistant, Judith Dunahue, work with individual division,
department, and branch managers in the hiring of new staff. The division
also conducts exit interviews with retiring and resigning staff, and
participates in the termination of employees. Other Personnel Services duties
include the training, promotion, and discipline of staff, and the coordination
of staff insurance coverage. [See Staff Issues, Chapter 6. J

Volunteer Services

The volunteer has become a major force in our lives ... because it is not
possible for man to live separated from others.

As early as 1973, volunteers were a regular part of the daily work
of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County. In that year, a
federal plan called Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) paired people
older than sixty with agencies that needed the volunteers. At the library,
these volunteers filed, stamped, and cataloged books, as well as worked in
the Processing Department. In March 1974, Head Librarian Fred Reynolds
praised the work of these senior citizens, who by then had given 1,943
hours of their time to book preparation. From the early 1980s through the
formal establishment of Volunteer Services in mid- 1984, Public Information
Manager Gail A. Milne and Personnel Manager Charlene Holly shared the
duties of managing volunteers and their activities.

By 1984, about two hundred people volunteered at the library on a
regular basis, and the position of Volunteer Manager was created. This
person was responsible for recruiting and training volunteers, and working
with library employees to fit the volunteers with various tasks throughout

138

the system. About one hundred volunteers worked regularly in the public
access television studio at that time. Other volunteers, through the Friends
of the Library and individually, gave library tours, staffed Friends
booksales, inspected films when returned from borrowers, and helped with
library programs. Cathleen Amoldy was appointed Volunteer Manager in
May 1984. Katherine Smith succeeded her in 1987, and left the library in
1994. The current Supervisor of Volunteers is Georgean Johnson-Coffey.

In 1986, the Friends of the Allen County Public Library sponsored
Volunteer Recognition Day, which honored the more than five hundred
volunteers who then served the library at all locations, including
bookmobiles. This has become an annual event. Although a Volunteer of the
Year is no longer named, some volunteers are recognized for outstanding
service. In addition, gifts of appreciation are awarded to those who have
reached more than one hundred hours of voluntarism. In 1990, 477
volunteers aged seven to ninety-four gave more than 18,500 hours of
service. The most recent figures available show that in 1993, 645 volunteers
donated 26,690 hours, or the equivalent of thirteen fulltime employees.

In the early 1990s, some branches initiated volunteer programs,
particularly for young adults. Monroeville and New Haven Branches had
such programs during the summer of 1990, while Dupont Branch's young
adult volunteer program is ongoing. In November of 1991, Dupont Branch
had more than thirty young adults who started their own newspaper and
performed various tasks at the branch.

Properties

Properties Management includes the departments of Housekeeping
Services, Maintenance Services, Purchasing Services, and Security Services.
These are functions necessary to the operation of the library, but occur for
the most part, behind the scenes. Robert W. Hart managed this area of the
library from 1980 through 1984 and was called Support Services Manager.
Today, Eugene H. Johnson is manager of the Properties Division.

Housekeeping Services

As early as 1929-1930, library expenditures included $9,922.03 for
wages for janitors. During the Depression, housekeeping services may have
been one area where cuts were made to save money, as the amount budgeted
for wages for janitors in 1936 was only $3,262.19.

In the late 1950s, many non-public main library functions were
moved to the annex buildings along Washington Boulevard as the library
outgrew the Carnegie building. In 1958, janitor supplies were stored in a
building at Washington Boulevard and Webster Street, across from the main

139

library building.

Branch libraries have had their own janitors or housekeepers since
early in the library's branch history. This continues today, with some
housekeeping staff members splitting their time between two smaller
branches.

Angela Holderman was Housekeeping Services manager in 1982.
David Dawkins currently manages the Housekeeping division of the
Properties Department. Most housekeeping functions take place during the
hours that the main library and branches are closed to the public.

Maintenance Services

The formation of a regular library maintenance staff apparently took
place about 1935-1940. Prior to that time, janitors probably performed
general maintenance, in addition to housekeeping tasks. During the
Depression, repairs of the main library and branches first were funded by
a large Works Progress Administration project, followed by the development
of a staff of maintenance men.

By 1956, maintenance staff members performed tasks for which
they were specifically trained or skilled. For example, one mechanic
repaired and performed nearly all services on the library's 110 typewriters,
while others were skilled in cabinet making, carpentry, plastering,
bricklaying, electrical repairs, painting, and plumbing. The maintenance
staff of the late 1950s was lauded as being a group of excellent mechanics
who made the hiring of workers outside of the library for these types of
tasks almost unnecessary. However, their number was felt to be inadequate
to keep up with the work once crowded conditions forced some main library
services to spread into several buildings along Washington Street. The annex
buildings required a great deal of repair and maintenance work.

During construction of the new main library building in the late
1960s, maintenance functions were spread throughout the various buildings
that temporarily housed the main library's materials and services. One of the
duties of the maintenance staff at this time included snow removal on library
parking lots, and in 1968, the Fort Wayne I*ublic Library board awarded a
contract to Allen County Motors, Inc., for a truck with a snow plow for
$2,628.46.

The jobs of library maintenance personnel have become increasingly
more specific as technology has exploded through the 1970s, 1980s, and
1990s. In April 1971, for example, the library Board discussed creating a
fiilltime position specifically to maintain the building's air conditioning and
electrical systems. About a decade later, in 1982, the Board authorized the
library administration to advertise for bids on a computerized energy
management system that would monitor lighting, heating, water softening,
and air conditioning, and would pay for itself within two years. Estimates

140

said this system could reduce utility costs by $45,000 per year. The system
also extended to a few of the library's branches. Elements in the library's
strategic plan for 1992-1997 included establishing a preventative
maintenance and replacement plan for library equipment, furnishings, and
physical plant components.

In 1990, the library's number of branch locations expanded from
eleven to thirteen. Early in 1991, in response to the need for regular
maintenance attention at the branches, the Properties Department arranged
to have the members of the maintenance staff regularly assigned to certain
branches, rather than handling branch requests for maintenance on an "on
call" basis. Challenges facing the maintenance department in the 1990s have
included problems with new light fixtures installed in the main library
during a remodeling project in 1989, and the difficulty in maintaining a
regular temperature throughout the main library building and addition.

From 1948 through 1972, Harvey Levi Thomas was Maintenance
Supervisor. He was followed by Ken Schell. Today, Senior Building
Engineer is David Crick.

Carpenter Shop

A Carpenter Shop as part of the library was Rex Potterf s idea,
according to Rick Ashton. In the late 1950s, it was used to build fiimiture,
bookmobile interiors, some
shelving and other library
accessories. In 1961, this shop and
the Print Shop were located in the
annex buildings along Washington
Street. As late as 1968, the library
employed a carpenter, and in 1969,
the Carpenter Shop was housed in
the Hollywood building.

In 1977, when Rick J.
Ashton, later Library Director,
joined the staff of the library, the
facility no longer employed regular
carpentry staff, but still had some
equipment and surplus lumber. He
said that at that time, the library's
only carpentry activity was the
occasional construction of
bookmobile interiors and frames
for prints.

In 1980, all library Carpenter Garner Hull makes
functions finally were removed frames for art prints in the library's
from the annex buildings. Ashton Carpenter Shop, 1968.

141

proposed opening the Carpenter Shop at Little T\irtle Branch on Sherman
Boulevard. The library board requested a zoning change for the area from
BIB to B3B, which would have allowed less restrictive use of the land and
enabled the library's Carpenter Shop to be moved to the branch. Area
residents living near the new Little Turtle Branch, primarily from the
Hamilton Neighborhood Association, opposed the zoning change and
presented a petition against it with 196 signatures. Their complaint was that
the Carpenter Shop would contribute to noise, traffic, and parking problems.
The Fort Wayne City Plan Commission denied the Board's request for a
zoning change, and the library's Carpenter Shop ceased operation. Ashton
said he was not surprised when people from the Little Turtle Branch
neighborhood opposed the Carpenter Shop, and he did not try very hard to
overcome the objections. "When the zoning change was turned down, we
went out of the carpentry shop business with no regret, "^^ he said.

At the time the shop was discontinued, it employed two part time
workers and its main output included wooden frames for prints that could
be borrowed by patrons and shelves for bookmobiles. Ashton said the
Carpenter Shop no longer was as cost efficient as in the past anyway,
because picture framing could be done at other facilities and bookmobile
interiors could be purchased. "It makes sense to do some things for yourself
and to pay others to do other things for you," he said. "While carpentry as
a self-supplied service may have made sense earlier, it did not make sense
in 1980."^^

Purchasing Services

Sue Andrews is the current Purchasing Agent for the Allen County
Public Library. This position orders supplies for all library agencies.

Security Services

TJie . . . library also has a security staff which occasionally checks books of
people leaving the library . . .

No evidence has been found that the library or its branches
employed a security staff before the early 1960s. However, in April 1940,
a page was stationed at the door of the main library to inspect books as
patrons left. This was in response to the large numbers of books that were

^^ Ashton correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, Jul. 28, 1993.
^%id.

142

being taken out of the building without being checked out, and not being
returned. In 1963, the library hired Security Officer Howard Walker to keep
a watchful eye on patrons because of a rash of mutilated and stolen books.

By July 1965, the library employed two security officers. One
concern of these officers at that time was barefooted young adults. A third
security officer position for the main library was approved by the Board of
Trustees in December 1967, and by 1969-70, the library had four security
officers. The idea of a security staff employed by the library was ingrained
by the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1972, members of the security staff
spot-checked books being taken out of the library to ensure they had been
checked out.

Concerns of the security staff changed greatly between the 1960s
and the 1990s. From barefooted teenagers and vandalism directed at books
the security staff directed its attention to break-ins of vehicles and
abductions from the parking lots surrounding the library. However, the
security staff still counted among its duties taking care of people who
committed inappropriate, but non-violent offenses, such as patrons who spit
over the balcony, and a man who was cleaning his toes and smelling his
socks. Twice in 1991, underwear was found in the stacks - once it was a
man's pair, and once a woman's. As a precaution against theft in 1993, staff
members acting as tour guides were informed of what not to say during
tours that would allow people to foil the library's security system. In August

1991, a security officer and a vehicle equipped with a yellow flashing light
were stationed in the staff parking lot at Ewing and Washington Streets each
evening at closing to guard the personal safety of staff members. In October

1992, additional security was assigned to the parking lots in response to an
increase in break-ins of cars. Despite concerns about library finances,
security positions that had been held open prior to January of 1993 were
slated to be filled at that time.

Howard Ronald Adams was Security Services manager from 1982
to 1984. Today, the division is managed by Properties Assistant Nancy
Bock. Duties of a full-time security officer in the 1990s include providing
general building security, checking outgoing library materials, giving
directional information to patrons, assisting library users in emergency
situations, and making the evening courier run to the branches. The library's
switchboard operators and mail room clerk are a part of this division.

Systems

The library was looking ahead to automation in the early 1980s. In
1985, Automation Project Manager Luana K. Stanley and an advisory
committee of seven staff members dedicated thousands of hours of staff time
to creating a document from which the future computerized library system

143

would be designed. In 1986, the library signed a contract with CLSI,
formerly Computerized Library Systems, Inc., to install a turnkey automated
library system. The $2.95 million project was funded by a bond issue
approved without remonstration by Allen County residents. Library officials
hoped the automation system would dramatically improve service to library
patrons, and ensure the ACPL's position as one of the nation's leading
libraries.

CLSI, the largest and oldest library automation vendor in the
industry, began installation of Allen County's automated system in 1987 and
expected to complete the process within three years. Automation work
continued in 1989. More than 700,000 individual items - nearly half of the
library's holdings - were barcoded and entered into the library's computer
system . Employees were looking forward to the time in the near future when
patrons would be able to look up library materials via computer terminal.
By December 1990, the local newspaper reported that with CLSI, the library
had revolutionized the process of loaning library materials and keeping the
library inventory current. Throughout the automation process, the Systems
Office staff published The Interface, an in-house newsletter that kept staff
members informed.

CL-CAT, the system that eventually would be used by patrons on
public terminals, was available on staff terminals by March 1991. Staff
members were encouraged to experiment with it in hopes of catching any
problems before the system went "online" to the public. Projections said that
some public terminals could be available as early as late summer or early
fall 1991. In April 1991, an online catalog advisory committee was in place.
Members were Kate Birdseye, Nancy Johnson, Topher Schlatter, Luana
Stanley, Janet Hartzell, Peggy Zych, Rosie Stier, Pam Stroik, Phyllis
Sherwin, and Cheryl Hackworth.

The CL-CAT terminals made their debut in the Historical
Genealogy Department in August 1991, followed quickly by appearances in
other departments and branches. By April 1993, the library had two hundred
terminals systemwide. Public reaction to the online catalog was positive.
Soon patrons began to inquire about dialing into the system via modem from
their home computers. This service became an objective of the five-year
strategic plan composed by library staff members in 1991. In April 1992,
dial-up access to the online public access catalog (OPAC) became a reality,
and by late in the month, three of the four lines available for this service
were busy most of the time.

Other objectives and goals of the library's strategic plan for 1992-
1997 that affected the Systems Department included keeping abreast of
developments in the library automation marketplace; studying the feasibility
of linking local schools to the OPAC; evaluating new automation processes,
including tapeloading, CD-ROM networks, and remote online access to
databases through state or regional networks; adding to the computer records

144

of items already owned by the library that had not been previously "linked,"
such as government documents, some genealogy books, microforms, and
uncatalogued items; evaluating services that would streamline and reduce the
cost of ordering, cataloging, and processing functions; conducting and
maintaining an inventory of microcomputers, peripherals, and software
systemwide; and establishing a centralized source of information,
troubleshooting, repair, and assistance for staff microcomputer users.

In 1992, the library began to look forward to upgrading its software
to a product called LIBS 100+. In October, CLSI representatives provided
pre-installment training to some staff members so that they could make
decisions about how the new software would affect operations. A CLSI top
management officer visited the library late in the year to discuss tape-
loading possibilities and other concerns. Staff computer training for LIBS
100+ took place during March, April, and May 1993, and the installation
of the new software took place in September of that year.

Luana Stanley continues as manager of the Systems Department.

Circulation Services

The circulation department is in the minds of the majority of readers, "the
library. "

Circulation was a function that began as soon as Fort Wayne's
public library opened in City Hall, and has necessarily continued through
the present. In the library's beginning, when the staff was very small, no
separate circulation staff existed per se. The early librarians and their
assistants performed most of the functions and services of the library, with
little specialization. This gradually changed and the Circulation Services
Department now has a staff of its own to handle the check-out and check-in
of books, posting of overdues notices, pulling and reshelving of storage
books, and many other duties.

Virginia C. Williams, Circulation Department head about 1920, was
one of the earliest people to fill this position. She soon was transferred to
take charge of the Cataloging Department, and Emma S. Payne became
manager of the Circulation Department. In 1922, during Payne's tenure, the
circulation desk was called the delivery desk. Contrary to what the
newspaper of the time called the general opinion of the public, no red tape
was involved when checking out books from the modem public library.
Each patron was required to provide his or her name and address in order
for the library to keep an accurate record of borrowers and protect public
property, but there was no delay in getting a card or borrowing a book.

A 1923 staff instruction manual described the rules for the
Circulation Department. They included:

• Assistants will not give to inquirers the name of any reader

145

having certain books out. This infringes upon the privacy to which every
patron is entitled in his library reading. Assistants will politely say they do
not know to such questions.

• Married women were asked to write "Mrs." before their name,
and if they give their first name, the husband's name was written in pencil
and vice versa,

• Registration cards expired in five years (this was later amended
to three years).

• Children younger than fourteen were given registration cards in
the Children's Room.

• People living outside the city limits were required to list their
township and, if they had a rural route address, their box number.

• Lost cards were replaced for five cents.

• Books had to be returned to the same location from which they
were borrowed.

• Color codes for cards and ink were: buff for adult cards, brown
for teachers' cards, pink for juvenile cards, gray for temporary cards, white
for transient and non-resident cards, blue for non-fiction loan cards, green
for one-issue fiction cards. The central library used black ink. The Southside
branch used violet ink. The Northside branch used green ink. The Pontiac
branch used blue ink. The city extension department used red ink. Various
ink colors were used in extension stations.

• Borrowers could take one (later amended to four) books of fiction
and "a reasonable number" of non-fiction on a card. From June 15 to
September 15, borrowers could take two books of fiction. All books were
loaned for two weeks. Teachers could borrow books for their school work
for six weeks, or Business and Technical Department books for four weeks.

• Patrons could place reserves on non-fiction books.

• Fines were two cents per day for overdue books. No fines were
charged on books

borrowed by staff
members, the
book committee,
or the board of
education.
Postcard notices
were sent for
overdue books,
followed by a
personal letter
after ten days and
a messenger after

fifteen days. Virginia Blosser, left, and Delia Ake

public at the circulation desk, 1936.

146

• Temporary or transient residents (people living in Fort Wayne or
Allen County for fewer than three months) could borrow books by paying
a $3 deposit, which would be refunded when the book was returned.

From 1925 to 1930, Mary Rossell was manager of the Circulation
Department. She left in 1930 for a job in North Carolina. Alice Van Zanten,
who had been First Assistant under Rossell, became acting librarian of the
department, then was appointed its head. In 1935, the Circulation
Department was one of two divisions of the Adult Department. The other
was the Reference Department. The Circulation Department served all adult
patrons who borrowed books other than from the Business and Technical
Department. At the time, the library's annual circulation had topped one
quarter of a million volumes per year.

In 1936, the color scheme of ink noted in the 1923 staff instruction
handbook remained the same, but the date a book was checked out was
stamped, rather than handwritten, in one column on the card, and the
borrower's card number was written in another column. By 1953, Kenneth
Lauer later remembered, "in the time-honored style of state-of-the-art
technology: a device having lead at one end for marking the identity of the
borrower on the book card and a date stamp at the other end was used for
circulation."^ The check-out process in 1956 included using a
photocharger to photograph the book card, the borrower's card, and the date
due card number. Overdues notices were sent ten, twenty, and thirty days
after the book was due. The first two were postcards, while the third was
a letter or telephone call informing the borrower that failure to answer
would place him or her on the delinquent list and cause the patron's
borrowing privileges to be revoked. Materials collectors visited homes to
collect material that was more than fifty days overdue. In 1956, the library
had thirty-one photographic book charging machines.

In 1958, because of the crowded conditions in the Carnegie
building, some overdues service work took place in the Washington Annex
building. By the early 1960s, circulation had soared to more than two
million volumes per year. The average library book lasted about two years
and circulated fifty to sixty times. Overdue fines in 1961 were five cents per
day, with a maximum of $1.25 per item. The maximum overdue fine for
phonograph records was $2. When a messenger was sent to collect
materials, the borrower was required to pay an additional $1. The loan
period at that time was two weeks, with the option of renewing the item for
an additional two weeks if it was not reserved by another patron. Materials
could not be renewed over the telephone.

The 1960s were a period of change and growth in the Circulation
Department. By 1963, Muriel J. Norton had replaced Van Zanten as head

^Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence."

147

of the department, which was located in the Purdue building at the comer
of Jefferson Boulevard and Barr Street during the razing of the Carnegie
building and the construction of the new main library. Between 1964 and
1968, despite being spread throughout several different annexes and
locations, the library circulated at least fourteen million books. For the year
1967, this reflected a drop of about two percent from the previous year - a
reflection of a national trend. Library officials anticipated that the opening
of the new main library would result in a significant increase in the number
of registered borrowers, book loans, use of non-book materials, and
reference questions. The prediction proved accurate as circulation increased
by 27,000 volumes in 1968, a gain which reversed the national trend of
decreased circulation. Adult book loans more than doubled and children's
book loans increased five-fold. Registered borrowers represented about
forty-two percent of the Fort Wayne and Allen County population.

Muriel Norton retired in late 1968. At that time, the department
consisted of two areas: the Circulation Department was responsible for
ordering materials for the main circulating collection, and staffing a public
desk relating to those materials; while the Lending Services area handled the
physical circulation (check-in and check-out) of books, registration for
library cards, overdue materials, and reserves. Norton was replaced by
Melvin Quinn as acting manager of the Circulation Department. Anne
Anderson became head of Lending Services. In early 1969, library officials
called the increase in circulation and use of the library following the move
into the new main library "highly gratifying."^* Adult circulation was about
30,000 books per month, while children's circulation was up more than five
hundred percent to more than 10,000 books per month. In February of that
year, the library ranked twenty-third in the nation in the number of books
loaned per year.

Along with the increase in business, came an increase in the number
of items not returned at the end of the borrowing period. In 1968, it was
estimated that the library averaged about eight hundred unretumed books per
year. In 1969, Head Librarian Fred Reynolds and his staff put into effect a
"Get Tough" policy because violations of the borrowing privileges were
becoming alarming. The library board also asked for assistance from the
Allen County Prosecutor in getting back materials.

The 1970s started off as a booming decade locally, despite a
national trend of decreased circulation. A report in early 1970 noted that
"while other libraries were losing business, we were increasing number of

^* "Librarian Points Out Funds Need.

148

volumes loaned. "^^ On the best day in January of that year, 3,500 books
were loaned - a stack "as tall as the Lincoln Tower" - in nine hours. By
1974, however, the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County was
following the national trend as book loans decreased. At the same time, the
number of library cardholders increased. In 1975, the board of library
trustees voted to curtail lending privileges to out-of-county teachers since
other non-Allen County residents were required to pay $20 for a library
card. Out-of-county students were allowed to borrow books, and anyone
could use the reference books on site. In-county patrons' privileges were
increased late in the 1970s, as the board voted to allow cardholders to check
out an unlimited number of books at one time. The previous limit had been
eight books.

Anne Anderson left the library in 1974, and was followed as
Lending Services Manager by Peggy Stalter until 1977. Marilyn
Allmandinger, currently a staff member in the Readers' Services
Department, managed Lending Services from 1977 through 1983, when the
department was reorganized. At that time, the Circulation Department's
current manager, Rebecca Brooks, was appointed to the position of
manager.

Again reflecting what was happening with libraries on a national
level, circulation increased throughout the decade of the 1980s. Rising
circulation figures in 1979 and 1980 reversed an eight-year trend of
declining circulation. The library began opening on Sundays in 1983, and
it proved a popular move. During the first seven weeks of the year, the
number of materials borrowed and questions asked on Sundays averaged
about ten percent higher than in the same hours on weekdays. In fact, for
the first five months of 1983, the main library circulated an average of 225
items per hour each week and 309 items per hour on Sundays. In April
1987, automation of the library's circulation process began with the
installation of computers. The 1989 annual report for the library mentioned
the automation process and noted that staff members in the Circulation
Department soon would be able to scan barcodes in materials with lasers to
complete the check-out process.

Duties of the Circulation Department in the 1990s include staffing
the circulation desk; processing the records of late materials and library
cards; staffing the clearing house, which routes books and other materials
to proper locations within the library system; and retrieving and reshelving
materials from non-public storage areas. The Circulation Department also
handles reserved materials and interlibrary loans. Until the reciprocal
borrowing program was discontinued, that also was a function of the

^^"Book Loans Reach 3,500," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Feb. 24,
1970.

149

Circulation Department. Business has boomed in the 1990s. In December
1990, it was reported that the main library in Fort Wayne circulated more
items annually than the main libraries in many cities larger than Fort
Wayne, including Boston, Chicago, Brooklyn, and Houston.

While the circulation area formerly was rectangular, in 1991 it was
redesigned and a new semi-circular desk was created. The new desk takes
up less space than its predecessor. Its design requires patrons to form a
single line and treats them on a first-come, first-served basis, no matter what
kind of service they need. Prior to this change, they had to form separate
lines for check-out, registrations, returns, and other situations, and people
often found they were waiting in the wrong line.

In 1991, the Performance Plus Award was created. While it is a
goal of Circulation Department staff members to demonstrate
professionalism, knowledge, and cooperation at all times. Performance Plus
Awards recognize attendants who demonstrate on a daily basis these
qualities, plus friendliness, concern, and a clear understanding of procedures
and the library's mission of service. The first Performance Plus ribbons and
engraved plaques were awarded in May 1991 to Belinda Goss and Melissa
Rinehart.

Service issues faced by the Circulation Department during the 1990s
have included reciprocal borrowing, materials reserves, and telephone
renewals. As of January 1993, the library no longer accepted reciprocal
borrower cards because of the advent of the Public Library Access Card
(PLAC). Patrons in Indiana could purchase the PLAC at their local libraries
and use it at libraries statewide. The library continues to place reserves on
materials for patrons. In August 1992, the department considered adding
telephone renewals as a service. However, it was decided that the negative
impact this would have on the service being provided to patrons who visited
the library physically was too great to justify providing the convenience to
telephone callers.

Business has continued to grow for the Circulation Department as
it has moved into the 1990s. By February 1993, more than fifty-five percent
of the population served had a library card, which was considered well
above average. Most libraries the size of the Allen County Public Library
had about forty-four percent of their populations registered. Circulation per
capita in Allen County was about 12.52 at this time. Most libraries
comparable in size had a circulation per capita of about five. The average
annual circulation for a library the size of the Allen County Public Library
was 2,250,000, while the ACPL's in 1992 was 3,743,848.

150

Technical Services

The Department of Technical Processes is responsible for the acquisition,
processing, and cataloging of all books.

Technical Services currently includes the areas of Acquisitions,
Cataloging, and Processing, as well as the duties of the Preservation
Technician. Janet Hartzell is the manager of the Technical Services
Division.

As early as 1956, several of the materials processing functions of
the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County were included under the
umbrella of the Department of Technical Processes. This department was
responsible for the acquisition, processing, and cataloging of all books added
to the main library, city and county branches, and rural school collections,
except serials and government publications. At this time, the accounting and
payroll functions of the library also fell under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Technical Processes. James Broderick joined the staff of
Technical Processing before 1967, and acted as the division's manager as
early as 1973 through his retirement in 1980. During Broderick's tenure, the
various Technical Processes areas did not have official managers. Instead,
staff members reported directly to Broderick. This changed with a
reorganization of the department after Broderick's retirement in 1980. Luana
K. Stanley served as manager of the Technical Services Department from
1980 through 1983-1984, and during her administration, managers were
named for the Acquisitions, Cataloging, and Processing areas.

Withdrawal from supplying the school systems with book collections
occurred in the 1972, but rather than decreasing the workload of Technical
Services employees, this move increased it. More than 214,000 volumes
were withdrawn from the library's collection through a specific process, and
relinquished to the schools where they had been held. In addition, several
new branches were constructed within the same year, resulting in the
addition of 101,000 volumes systemwide that needed to be purchased,
cataloged, and processed.

As has been the case with most other agencies of the library system ,
technological advances over the years have been one of the most common
harbingers of change in the Technical Services Division. For example, in
1956 the library purchased a Remington Rand Transcopy Duplex machine,
which cheaply and easily produced copies of statistical material and reduced
the amount of typing necessary for staff in the Department of Technical
Processes. In the late 1960s, technological advances in the department
included Graphotype and Addressograph equipment, as well as a Xerox
printer. In the space of three decades, the division moved from duplex
machines, to Addressograph equipment which printed catalog cards, to

151

computer ordering. By the late 1980s, the Acquisitions Department placed
orders for materials through a computerized system called Libris,

Current duties of the Technical Services Division include placing
orders; invoicing and receiving incoming material; assigning Dewey
Decimal call numbers to items and determining what will appear on catalog
cards and cross references; checking books against the OCLC database;
providing labels for book spines and book cards; creating book jackets and
book pockets; sending books and magazines to the bindery; and the repair
and maintenance of books, including building special boxes and envelopes
for fragile materials.

Acquisitions Services

The order department attends to the buying of all books . . .

No acquisitions staff existed, per se, at the opening of public library
in Fort Wayne. Books on the shelves when the library opened in January
1895 had been chosen by a selection committee of citizens, or were gifts
from benefactors. The first book entered in accession records of Fort
Wayne's public library was Aurelian, or Rome in the Third Century by
Reverend William Ware, which was presented to library by Mrs. John H.
Jacobs as a gift.

In 1915, the Order Department was organized with Mabel M.
Vogely in charge. "Those were the days when one person could keep the
financial records of the library and attend to all orders."*' In 1928, the
duties of the Order Department were outlined as: buying all books and
supplies for the entire library system, all accounting and recording, and
checking of invoices to ensure that no overcharges were made. Requests for
supplies were sent from each department and branch on the twenty-sixth of
the month. After being approved by the librarian, these were filled from
stock and purchases made by the head of the Order Department and that
person's assistants. Requests ranged from catalog cases to fly paper. The
Order Department kept a cost accounting record, where the costs of all
books, magazines, binding, and operating expenses were itemized. In 1931,
its functions were similar: "The order department attends to the buying of
all books and supplies for the library system, the listing of all purchases and
the checking of bills."*'

Today, Acquisitions Services manages the purchase and gift receipt
of all materials intended for public use. Financial Services takes care of

^'Colerick, History of the Public Library, 7.

^'Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907."

152

accounting and recording, and the Purchasing Agent orders supplies for all
agencies.

From 1915 to 1950, as books were acquired, they were given an
accession number and recorded in accession books. In 1950, the accession
books were discontinued, but books still received an accession number.
Other changes also took place in the Order Department during the 1950s.
In 1951, multiple copy book order forms began to be used, which
standardized, facilitated, and expedited book ordering throughout the
system.

During the 1950s and 1960s, some Order Department work took
place in the Washington Annex. With the construction of the new library in
the late 1960s, the Order Department and other library agencies were
reunited under one roof. In 1973, the library board considered installing a
computer for daily book ordering, but decided to retain its current clerical
system instead.

In 1980-1981, Acquisitions Services was organized with Hildegarde
Mathieu at the helm. She was succeeded by Megan Gabrielle Steams. In
1983, the library's ordering system moved into the computer age when in
January the Board of Trustees approved a one-year agreement for a
computer service that would cost $19,825 and would allow the library to
order books by computer, speeding up materials purchasing and reducing its
cost. By 1990, most materials for the library system were ordered through
the computerized system, Libris. In 1994, this service was upgraded to take
advantage of new technology which is even faster and more cost effective.
Suzanne Druehl is the current Acquisitions Services manager.

Cataloging Services

The ground work of any library is in its cataloguing department, for like an
index, "it holds the eel of knowledge by the tail. "

Cataloging of books was an immediate necessity for the new public
library in Fort Wayne, and in fact, began before the facility opened its doors
to the public. In 1894, members of the Fort Wayne Woman's Club League,
the organization credited with making Fort Wayne's public library a reality,
volunteered their time to help catalog the facility's opening collection of
books "in accordance with the Dewey classification ..."^^ Book cards in the
early days of the library were handwritten in ink. The call number was in
red ink, and the author's name, the book's title, and the accession number
were in black. As early as 1897, just two years after the library opened, its
finding list - the list of books owned by the facility - was inadequate because

^^Henry, Municipal and Institutional Libraries, 43.

153

of the large number of books that had been acquired since it was created.
Helen Tracy Guild was ^pointed cataloger and began a revision of the list,
an inventory of books, and a system of catalog cards. The cataloging
committee for this project included Mrs. C.R. Dryer, Mrs. A.S. Lauferty,
Margaret Hamilton, Merica Hoagland, Katherine Hamilton, John H. Jacobs,
Chester T. Lane, H.O. Wise, Robert S. Robertson, and Reverend Samuel
Wagenhals. In 1898, a local newspaper praised the catalog card system of
organization at the library, saying it enabled the reader to find a book in the
shortest possible time. Presumably, from this time forward, the card catalog
was kept up to date.

Cataloging functions were a part of the Reference Department until
1917, when the two were separated. One of the duties of the newly liberated
Cataloging Department that summer was the reclassification, recataloging,
and repreparation of all of the books formerly belonging to Fort Wayne's
high school library, following the adoption of the high school library as a
public library branch. The Cataloging Department had help in this work
from the Children's Department.

In the early 1920s, Estella C. Stringer, who had been head of the
Cataloging Department after Guild, was transferred to the Extension
Department. Virginia C. Williams then became manager of the Cataloging
Department. In about 1922, the cataloging staff had a work room in the
Carnegie building that formerly had housed functions of the Reference
Department. There catalogers, typists, and clerical workers classified,
cataloged, marked, pocketed, and shellacked books. About 785 books were
processed per month. The transferring of staff members from position to
position was common in the early days of the library in Fort Wayne, and by
April of 1922, the Cataloging Department had yet another manager, Virginia
C. Camahan.
I n
1927, a head
cataloger and
two assistants
cataloged
5,745 new
titles, as well
as 2,657
duplicates of
items already
on the shelves
for the main
library, five

city branches, Catalogers Marguerite Rahe, left to right, Luella
and three Coudret, Cora Dell Palmer and Virginia C. Williams,
high school 1935

154

branches. Cataloging was recognized as one of the oldest activities of the
library. "Someone has said that a catalog makes the difference between a
library and a pile of books,"*' a library brochure said, and described
cataloging practices of the 1920s. Books were listed under author, subject,
and title. They also were described in terms of size, number of pages,
illustrations, publisher, place and date of publication, and often purchase
price or value. By this time the finding list, or catalog in a book, was no
longer feasible because it soon became obsolete. The modem library catalog
of the 1 920s had cards that were typed or printed and filed alphabetically in
specially built cases. The Cataloging Department staff still numbered three
in 1931.

From 1947 to 1956, the total number of books cataloged for the
year rose from 30,101 to 74,970. The average number of books cataloged
during this time period was 53,403. In 1951, "log jams" of juvenile books
waiting to be processed became serious. Causing the slowdown were the
difficulty in finding capable typists, and the lengthy process for training
typists and professional assistants. Because mechanization of some
procedures seemed to be a solution, the library purchased Addressograph
equipment that printed book cards, pockets, and other cataloging records.
By 1956, the time saved by the Addressograph equipment was lauded as
tremendous. With the mechanization, one and a half typists and two part
time professional assistants were able to do the work of six fiilltime typists
and two and a half revisers. At this time and through the completion of the
new main library building, cataloging work for the entire library system
took place in the Washington Annex.

A number of departments had their own card catalogs in 1961,
including Business and Technology, Children's Services, and the
Phonograph Record Room. The sheet music area had a main catalog with
author, title, and subject cards for books in the general music collection, a
sheet music catalog with author, title, and subject cards for separately bound
sheet music only, and a card index in the Reference Room which listed
individual songs and scores and indicated the collections in which they could
be found. Besides keeping up the main library, branch, and these specialized
catalogs and ordering Library of Congress cards, another of the tasks of the
Cataloging Department in the 1960s was classification of government
documents, which was largely completed by 1967.

In the early 1980s, catalogers still used the Dewey Decimal system
to classify books, but the Allen County Public Library was updating its
cataloging system to reflect Dewey number classifications for new subjects
that had developed over time, such as computer science. Because this had
not been done previously, books that should have been shelved together

^Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County, 6.

155

were scattered throughout the library, while others that were listed together
needed to be separated. As part of a general reorganization, employees
planned to mark shelves with cross-references to related subjects. Janet
Hartzell became manager of the newly-formed Cataloging Services from
1982 through about 1984, when she became manager of the Technical
Services Department.

By 1983, Allen County Public Library administrators had begun to
foresee how a computerized system would benefit the areas of cataloging
and circulation. Through the OCLC system, used by many libraries
worldwide, if a book or other material was cataloged by one member
library, other libraries needed only to modify the number and bibliographic
record of the book to suit their individual collections, rather than to perform
original cataloging for the material. Catalog cards and book labels could
then be produced. In the mid-1980s, cards were being produced for the main
library catalog, branches, the Historical Genealogy Department, and Art,
Music and Audiovisual Services.

Cataloging statistics continued to increase into the early 1990s. In
1992, for example, 3,771 more titles were cataloged than in 1991.
Challenges of the Cataloging Department in the 1990s included handling the
continuing genealogy book backlog, studying the average amount of time
spent cataloging various types of materials, and the process of cataloging
videotapes which had been in the Art, Music and Audiovisual Services
Department before the practice of cataloging videotapes began. As the
challenge of cataloging these videotapes illustrates, technology is having an
effect on the Cataloging Department, which currently is under the
management of Nancy Johnson. For example, in January 1993, the
department obtained a television-videocassette recorder unit specifically for
cataloging videotapes. Also in 1993, the department discussed cataloging
audio compact disks so that they would appear on the automated catalog and
could be searched by format. In 1994, the department's staff was beginning
to develop a format for cataloging machine-readable sources, such as
computer CD-ROMs.

Processing Services

Over the years, "processing" of materials has been used to describe
all sorts of preparation that occurs before the materials are ready for use by
the public. This might include preparing book pockets and book jackets,
stamping call numbers on the spines of books, typing labels for books,
repairing materials, or sending them to and receiving them from the
company with which the library contracts for binding. A Bindery
Department existed as part of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County as early as 1931-1932, when it, along with the Circulation
Department, was in charge of a staff event, the winter fete.

156

Until the 1950s, call numbers were labeled on book spines by hand
with an electric stylus and foil. In 1952, the library purchased a call number
stamping machine from Altair Machinery Corporation in New York City,
which printed call numbers on book spines by means of electrically actuated
heating units. Workers set type in pallets, then placed the pallets in the
heating unit. The procedure was reported as safe and simple. In 1953, the
library purchased a second call number printing machine, this one used to
label flat books and books with narrow spines. Another purchase in 1953
was that of a power glue machine for gluing pockets in books. With it, one
person could accomplish the work of two employees with hand gluers.

As was the case with many of the other behind-the-scenes library
activities in the 1950s and 1960s, binding and processing operations moved
to the Washington Annex until the construction of the new main library
building. In 1958, as today, the library maintained its own facilities for
repairing books. From the early 1960s to 1980, the Processing area
maintained the card catalogs of the main library and branches, pulling cards
from the catalogs and shelf lists as books were withdrawn, maintaining the
catalog of the urban school collection when it was in existence, and
combining the catalogs when the city and county library entities merged in
1979-1980.

Call number printing machines and the stylus were used to label
books until the early 1980s. At that point, employees began typing call
numbers on labels and taping them onto materials. This labeling process is
used today. Another change in the early 1980s was from the power glue
machine for book pockets to pre-pasted pockets. Duties of Processing staff
in the 1980s and 1990s have included checking incoming books against the
OCLC database to determine whether they already have call numbers,
producing labels for spines and book cards, providing dust jackets and card
pockets, maintaining remaining card catalogs, and sending books and
magazines to the bindery. Since 1992, Processing staff have been entering
brief records into the online catalog for previously uncataloged material,
creating access to this material for patrons. Devaun Patten manages the
Processing area. Becky Schipper, the library's Preservation Technician, is
a part of the Processing staff.

157

Special Services & Collections

Rare and Fine Book Room

No longer is it necessary for local people to travel abroad to view many of
the world's rare book treasures.

The library has had fine or rare books in its collection since early
in its history. However, it was not until a systemwide remodeling project in
1989-1990 that they were pulled together into a temperature- and light-
controlled environment known as the Rare and Fine Book Room. Rex
Potterf and Fred Reynolds, former Head Librarians, are credited with
collecting many of the materials that today are found in the Rare and Fine
Book Room. Among items in the room are The North American Indian by
Edward Sheriff Curtis, purchased for $37.50 per volume and appraised in
the 1980s at $1 10,000; several unusual bibles, including reproductions of the
Gutenberg and original King James versions; and pop singer Madonna's
book Sex.

In July of 1968, shortly after the opening of the new main library
building, the facility displayed its reprint of the Gutenberg Bible. In April
1971, the library Board authorized spending an additional $5,000 for rag
paper used in the procedure of copying rare books belonging to other
institutions. In this way, the library was able to add about 5,000 rare books
to its collection, some of which had been out of print more than two
hundred years. A 1971 newspaper article noted that the library had "a
notable collection of facsimiles of rare books."**

In November of 1989, construction began on the Rare and Fine
Book Room, which is located between the Historical Genealogy Department
and the Art, Music and Audiovisual Services Department on the second
floor of the main library building. The glassed-in room was planned to hold
about five hundred books that were "rare, fine, valuable, irreplaceable, or
otherwise exemplary."^ Halogen lights were planned for the area, rather
than the more harmftil ultraviolet lights, and it contained a conservation lab.
The room was completed in 1990, and a staff position. Preservation
Technician, was created to coincide with the formation of the Rare and Fine
Book Room.

In late 1992, the Allen County Public Library purchased two copies

** "Public Library Known Better Afar Than Home!"

*^Kathleen P. Crowe, "Volumes of Excitement," Summit Leisure, Fort
Wayne News Sentinel, Apr. 7, 1990.

158

of pop singer Madonna's controversial book Sex and placed them in the
Rare and Fine Book Room. The impetus for the book's placement in the
room was its impact on the publishing world and its possible future
importance as a pop culture icon and collector's item, according to Library
Director Jeffrey Krull. It also sported a metal cover and unusual binding,
and because of its controversial photographs, library administrators
anticipated that it would be susceptible to theft or mutilation. One copy of
the book remained sealed in its mylar cover, unavailable to patrons, while
the other was cataloged and processed for perusal by patrons eighteen years
old and older. [See Censorship, Chapter 5.]

In November 1992, an Auburn, Indiana, man was arrested for the
alleged theft of rare books belonging to the Allen County Public Library and
worth as much as $7,000. Among those recovered were a history of Allen
County and A Topographical History of the Western Territory of North
America, which was published in 1792. In all, twenty-two books were
stolen.

Materials preservation and conservation were suggested topics for
the strategic planning process undergone by the library in 1990-1991. A
draft of the plan, which was slated to carry the library through the years
1992 to 1997, included the goal of providing materials to meet the current
and anticipated informational, cultural, and recreational needs of Allen
County residents. Toward this goal, one strategy was to expand the
materials conservation and preservation program.

In January 1993, some staff members received training in the
subject area encompassed by the Rare and Fine Book Room, as Associate
Director Steven Fortriede presented a staff inservice on fine and rare books.

Indiana Collection

Of special interest ... is the Indiana collection of books, pictures, and
everything of interest concerning Indiana.

In 1905, the public library began collecting material relating to the
history of Indiana, and to Allen County in particular, "which it is hoped will
be continued until it shall be as complete as can be made,"*^ one source
said. In the 1920s, this material became the Indiana Collection, a group of
items that did not circulate, but was available for use in the Reference
Department. By 1926, the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
was considered especially rich in local history materials. At that time, the
collection and preservation of local history was considered an important

^Jacobs, "Libraries of Allen County," 343.

159

function of a public library.

The library hosted an open house in January 1928. At that time, the
Indiana Collection was under the jurisdiction of the Reference Department.
A local newspaper article noted that, "Of special interest ... is the Indiana
collection, of books, pictures, papers, and everything of interest concerning
Indiana."*' Gathering this material was considered one of the most
intriguing tasks of the Reference Department. In 1931, the Indiana
Collection was located in a small room off of the Reference Room. It
included books,

magazines, ^ . i ^, ^" -imHinFl^V... T.

pamphlets, and
clippings by or
about Indiana
people or relating
to Indiana
subjects. New
materials and
older items that
were donated to
the library were
being added
regularly.
Material from the
Indiana Collection
did not circulate,
but patrons were
welcome to use it in the Reference Room.

By 1956, staff members of the public library pursued local history
by documenting it with film and still photography. Churches, bridges,
historical sites, buildings, disasters, and important events were photographed
and filmed. Staff members held press cards that had been issued by the Fort
Wayne Police Department, the local fire department, and the Allen County
Sheriffs Department.

In 1961, the Indiana Collection was located on the library's first
floor. It included 53,000 newspaper clippings relating to local history, books
and archival materials on Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, and
midwestem history. This material was not kept on open browsing shelves,
but had to be requested in the Reference Department by patrons older than
high school age. Direct access to the collection was limited to staff
members.

The Indiana Collection was a source of research
materials concerning the state, 1928.

'^"History of Library Pictured in Exhibit," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette,
Jan. 24. 1928.

160

In August 1964, the library Board approved the recommendation of
Head Librarian Fred Reynolds to open the Indiana Collection books to the
public under the direct supervision of the Reference Department manager,
Albert Diserens. Previously, the material had not been available for
browsing because many of the books were very valuable and could not be
replaced.

The number of clippings in the Indiana Collection continued to grow
throughout the 1960s and 1970s, from 65,959 in 1964 to 100,049 in 1974.
Clipping of materials for the Indiana Collection ceased in the early 1980s.
The materials that once comprised this collection have since been divided
between other library departments. The Historical Genealogy Department
has the lion's share of the vestiges of the old Indiana Collection. Ehiring the
summer of 1990, department intern Elaine M. Lucas did a rough inventory
of the remaining clipping files belonging to the Historical Genealogy
Department and stored in the main library basement. However despite
Lucas' project, access to the files is still less than desirable, since a
comprehensive index to this material does not exist. Former Indiana
Collection books continue to be renumbered and transferred into the
Historical Genealogy Department's collection and may be accessed via the
department's catalog.

Chapter 4
Bookmobiles & Branches

Bookmobiles

We may someday have a book wagon . . .

In 1920, the Fort Wayne Public Library extended its service to the
residents of Allen County who lived outside the city limits of Fort Wayne.
One of the first decisions following a survey to determine the service needs
of this new constituency, was that a "book auto" would not provide the
desired service. "We may some day have a 'book wagon,' but if so, it will
'piece out,' not supplant, the work of the [deposit] stations,"' said the first
County Librarian, Corinne Metz, in 1922. By the summer of 1927, a book
wagon was a reality in the Rolling Mills district. Books were supplied to
hundreds of children during their vacation from school.

The first year-
round book wagon,
later called a
bookmobile, was
purchased in
September 1929 and
began in April 1930 to
serve outlying areas of
Fort Wayne. It
consisted of an
International Harvester Fred Reynolds with a child on his lap at Rolling
chassis equipped with Mills School during a book wagon stop, circa
shelves in a closed 1931.

'Corinne A. Metz, "Allen County Library Service,
(April 1922): 244.

Library Occurrent

161

162

body. It delivered books to adults during the school year and to children
during summer vacation. Fred Reynolds and Pearl Coulter managed the
book wagon and were supervised by Erdean McCloud. It was estimated that
by using the bookwagon, the library was saving the expense of at least two
branches. Nearly 2,000 new library borrowers were added with the advent
of the book wagon. This early bookmobile had "a body especially
constructed for carrying books with shelving inside and out. "^ Books on the
outside shelving were protected from the weather by glass sides, which were
raised when the vehicle stopped. It was stocked with about 1,000 books.
Circulation from the book wagon in 1930 was more than 17,000 books. In
the first six months of 1931, book wagon circulation was more than 11,000
books. That year, it had five routes and forty-one stops. Until 1935, the
library system built its own book wagons, according to Reynolds. In that
year, the book wagon had a collection of 5,000 titles, but circulation from
it had decreased to 8,000 volumes.

During the Depression, two large bookmobiles were constructed for
the library using Works Progress Administration labor. The book wagon
chauffeur's and messenger's salaries combined in 1937 totaled $3,094.83.
In January 1938, the library opened bids on a truck chassis for a new
bookmobile to be used to serve county schools in areas where branches were
not located. International Harvester Company won the contract with a bid
of $924.53. In 1939, the city bookmobile collection had 21,593 books and
898 magazines, and the rural bookmobile collection totaled 64,000 volumes.

Bookmobile service was discontinued during World War II, but
began again once the war was over. Two more bookmobiles were added in
1949 and 1951 to serve rural borrowers with more than sixty stops. By

An early bookmobile at North Side High School.

^Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907.

163

1953, the library had reverted back to one bookmobile with eighteen stops.

The Head Librarian recommended in the 1956 annual report that the
library put into service a number of small bookmobiles with a capacity of
1,000 to 1,200 books to serve patrons who lived in the corporate city of
Fort Wayne, but far from the main library and its branches. He pointed out
that this type of service already was being used in rural and suburban Allen
County and had been effective. At this time, the library had two
bookmobiles with fifty-four scheduled stops. He also suggested the
acquisition of two light bookmobiles to serve children during the summer.
In 1960, combined city and county bookmobile service included 209 weekly
stops with a circulation of 198,000 books.

By 1961, the library system had six bookmobiles. Apparently four
of them were serving the city and two the county, because in January 1963,
a third county unit was planned to comply with "numerous and repeated"
requests for more library service in the areas outside the Fort Wayne city
limits. This third county bookmobile brought the library's total to seven,
with 250 stops made per week. This was the heyday of the bookmobile for
the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County. In March 1966, the
library discontinued one of its seven bookmobile routes, a move that was
prompted by the loss of two drivers. The best stops of that route were
distributed among the remaining six drivers.

In April 1971, upon Fred Reynolds' recommendation, the library
Board authorized sale of one of the system's older bookmobiles to the
Wabash Public Library. Reynolds noted that the Fort Wayne Public Library
"tried to be a big brother to small libraries in northeastern Indiana. "^ A new
bookmobile would cost $5,500, plus an additional $1,500 to $2,000 in
materials and labor for preparing the interior. However, Reynolds told the
Board that at 50,000 volumes per year lent, a bookmobile was "the cheapest
lending agency there is."'* In 1971, the library loaned more than 300,000
volumes per year through its 270 bookmobile stops.

In May 1974, it was feared that the library's financial picture would
require reduced bookmobile operations. It is not known specifically when
another bookmobile was deleted, but by August 1981, the system had five
bookmobiles, the number it maintained until approximately 1985.
Bookmobiles were on the way out for the Allen County Public Library, but
they would continue to provide varying degrees of service for another seven
years. In 1985, bookmobiles provided service to local nursing home
residents. In 1986, the library planned to spend $20,000 to renovate one of

^"Sees Higher Library Bond Levy Limits," Fort Wayne Jowr/w:/ Gazette,
Mar. 23, 1971.

'^Ibid.

164

its bookmobiles. Late in the decade, the number of bookmobiles dwindled
to three.

Prior to 1990, bookmobiles visited neighborhoods, nursing homes,
apartment complexes, and shopping centers. A list of the library's services
at that time still included numerous bookmobile stops, but two bookmobiles
were discontinued in the fall of 1990. Bookmobile No. 1 covered the area
between Georgetown, Dupont, Harlan, and Woodbum Branches until 1991.
At that time, the library's strategic plan for 1992 to 1997 advocated
eliminating current bookmobile service.

As the supermarket replaced the neighborhood grocery, library
branches replaced the bookmobile. "It's not so much the bookmobiles' time
has ended as it is the branches' time has come,"' Associate Director Steven
C. Fortriede commented in a newspaper article in 1990. The final day of
bookmobile service was February 28, 1992, when driver William Gaunt
retired.

Branch Libraries

The really great convenience of the branch libraries is known to the happy
neighborhoods that are served by them.

Growth and popularity of the Fort Wayne Public Library from its
inception led to the establishment of five city branch libraries between 1907
and 1927. These were the Southside Branch (later Shawnee), the Northside
Branch (later Little Turtle), Pontiac, Richardville, and Tecumseh.

The advent of county branches followed the development of the
County Department in 1920. By November 1921, "a great deal of interest"
in county branch work was being shown in the communities outside of Fort
Wayne's city limits, and the county branch concept was "developing into a
real service to the agricultural districts."^

The first four county branches to be established were in
Huntertown, New Haven, Monroeville, and Harlan. County Librarian
Corinne Metz planned to visit each of these once or twice per month. People
using the library on those days would have the opportunity to ask her
questions about books. A local librarian, often called a "custodian," was
placed in charge of every branch. Part of the county branch librarian's duty
was to act as a liaison to let Metz know what types of books were in the

'Valerie Von Frank, "Closing the Book on Roving Library," Fort
Wayne News Sentinel, Oct. 30, 1990.

*^" Library at Monroeville," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Nov. 15, 1922.

165

greatest demand at the individual
branch. Branch librarians had their
first joint meeting in February
1922. It consisted of lunch and a
two-hour discussion of common
problems and the concept of
"service to the community."
Branch librarians' salaries were
$10 per month, but could be
increased as their work efficiency
increased.

As early as 1922, the
county branches were open every
day, allowing residents and farmers
to take advantage of their services
when it was convenient for them. The county branches were popular among
school children and their parents. Circulation of books from county branches
generally was two weeks, although some new or very popular volumes were

County librarians, 1925: Clara
Shinover, Frieda Niemeyer, Eva
Kinsey, Zelma Culp, F. Germaine

DuBrucq, Elizabeth Kell and

Baker.

County librarians, 1933: Naomi Tremp, Eva Kinsey, Bessie
Corbett, Evelyn Giant, Marie Walter and Dorothy Noble.

stamped "seven days." Branch patrons were able to place holds on books,
even at this early date. Story hours for children aged five to ten were given
at the branches by the County Librarian's assistant, Adele Warner. County
branch librarians were given the authority to make rules for their branches,
and were encouraged to keep order. "Anyone being loud or boisterous or
using insolent language will be denied the privilege of books for a limited

166

time,"^ announced a newspaper article.

By February 1922, three months after the first one opened, the four
county branches had circulated a total of 4,866 volumes. When eight months
had passed, that number had grown to 1 1 ,558. In 1923, each was open three
hours daily and did its own bindery work. A full-time janitor and driver
were employed by the library specifically to work at the county branches.
Branch librarians met the fourth Friday of each month to discuss concerns.
Branches joined the main library in 1924 in the Good Books Diploma, a
program for children that was the forerunner of the Summer Reading
Program. Older children also were encouraged to use their libraries -
students in four county high schools received library instruction and used the
county branches as laboratories. In 1924, with its nine branch libraries, the
Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County was noted as the largest
such organization of the thirteen then established in the state of Indiana.

Beginning in 1926, the local library system began naming its city
branches for Native American chiefs and tribes at the suggestion of
Margaret Colerick. Richardville, Pontiac, and Tecumseh Branches were
established about this time, and Southside and Northside Branches were
renamed Shawnee and Little Turtle, respectively. "It has been said that
Tecumseh, Little Turtle, and Pontiac were three of the five greatest Indians
in the country and that Little Turtle, by standard of achievement, is the
greatest the world has ever known. Therefore, because Fort Wayne is
connected with important events in the history of the United States, it has
been thought very proper to name the city branches after those Indian chiefs
and tribes who played an important part in developing this territory,"' the
local newspaper explained. Much later, in 1964, library Board member
Allan J. Tremper caused controversy on this subject when he suggested that
fixture branches be named, not after "savages" who "had little to do with
books," but after white men who contributed to the library's history. "I have
no enmity toward Indians," he told the News Sentinel, "but naming branch
libraries after 18th century Indians who were savages is as inconsistent as
placing a bust of Dick the Bruiser in the new art museum."' His comments
earned him protesting letters and phone calls, and he further explained his
comments in his diary: "As I told these critics, I am still of the opinion that
Indians of the pioneer era in this country were savages for the most part,
and are so characterized by reputable historians. My epithet did not refer to

^"Branch Library Rules Changed," Monroeville Breeze, Mar. 2, 1922.

^Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County.

'Van Lesley, "Indian Drum Thumps: 'Paleface' Library Idea Stirs
Wrath," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Sep. 2, 1964.

167

those of later generations who are as good citizens as any ethnic group.
Furthermore, English soldiers under Burgoyhe [sic], Butler, and other
notorious leaders were characetrized [sic] as cut-throats and butchers,
something no one holds against the British today ... But these sensitive
individuals fail to consider the difference two centuries make, and regard my
statement as a reflection on the entire red race."'"

The writer of an article in the fall of 1926 spoke highly of the
branch system of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County:

"As the average borrower stands at the main desk of the Fort
Wayne public library, he may not realize how far the rows of books that he
sees really do radiate. He may not realize that north, south, east, and west,
in every direction there is a branch reaching out to supply residents in every
locality with all kinds of reading material, books, magazines and the sort of
inspiration and atmosphere that is almost undefinable.

"The average borrower living far from the central zone may not
realize that his interest in radio, electricity, or his favorite automobile can
be fed and stimulated by some judicious reading on the subject from books
at the branch library only a few blocks away from his home. The children
know about the neighborhood library. And in this as in many other things,
it takes a little child to lead them.""

By 1928, the public library had five city branches, each of which
was a complete mini-library with reference books, fiction, non-fiction,
children's books, adult books, and magazines. The county branches also
each had a growing collection of books with a catalog and reference aids.
County branches kept in close contact ^th the main library and telephoned
with patron requests for books that were not on their shelves. Story hours
for children were held once a month at each county branch, and branches
often arranged special exhibits of books. Branch libraries drew their patrons
from as far as ten to twenty miles away. "Many of the people make a trip
to town once or twice a week for supplies and stop to get their books as
regularly as their supplies."'^

The transition of the Woodbum deposit station to a branch library
in 1931 or 1932 brought the number of city and county branches each to
five. The five city branches all were located in store fronts that were "well

'° Allan J. Tremper diary entry, Aug. 25, 1964.

"Bessie K. Roberts, "Picturesque Indian Names Identify Branch
Libraries," unidentified newspaper, Oct. 10, 1926.

'Weston, "Equal Library Privileges," 87.

168

fitted up for library use."'' Three of them had been built by their owners
specifically as branch libraries.

The Depression hit in the 1930s, and the Public Library of Fort
Wayne and Allen County underwent a general retrenchment program to cut
costs which included decreasing open hours at branches. In 1934, county
branches were open just two days per week, 1 to 5 p.m. or 2 to 5 p.m. and
6 to 9 p.m. two days per week. Prior to the Depression, the County
Department independently performed many of the same functions as areas
of the main library. A study suggested that it was a waste of energy (and
presumably funds) to duplicate such functions as highly-specialized
cataloging, and that the staff of the County Department should instead
devote its time and energy to circulation and reference work. It was
proposed that books for the county branches and deposit stations be
cataloged by the main library's Cataloging Department, and this service be
funded by County Department monies. Other proposals for a more
economical mesh of city and county library work were to make the County
Department a reference and circulating department of the public library
system, and to open the city branches and main library to rural patrons.

Despite the Depression, or perhaps because of it, branch libraries
in the city and county were very popular during the 1930s. County branch
circulation in 1933 totaled 75,889. In 1935, the five county branches were
said to have had a phenomenal circulation. In 1935, newly-appointed Head
Librarian Rex Potterf began working on a program that would allow county
branches to open daily once again. By September, those that had been open
only two days per week for the previous two years were again open daily.

Branch libraries underwent various improvements during the second
half of the decade of the 1930s. In 1936, Potterf arranged for Works
Progress Administration labor to redecorate the branches with materials
furnished by the library at a cost of about $1,600. In January, Richardville
Branch moved to a location on South Wayne Street, reflecting the southward
direction of growth of the city. With Tecumseh and Little Turtle on the
north, and Pontiac, Shawnee, and Richardville on the south, the library
system was trying to achieve balance among its branches. The library Board
lamented that there were not funds to establish an eastside branch. The
number of county branches by this time had increased to six, as Areola
Branch was converted from a reading room.

In 1938, the Board of Trustees approved a plan for improving and
developing the branches in an effort to relieve congestion at main library.
Library officials faced the decision of whether to enlarge the main library
at a substantial expense, or improve and enlarge the branches. Board
members hoped that patronage at the branches would increase if they were

'^Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907."

169

open full time and provided a larger book supply.

By 1949, the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
boasted thirteen branches in its system: Areola, Harlan, Huntertown, Leo,
Little Turtle, Maumee, Monroeville, New Haven, Pontiac, Shawnee,
Tecumseh, Waynedale, and Woodbum, Reading rooms at Elmhurst,
Hoagland, and Lafayette also sometimes were referred to as branches.
Areola, Huntertown, Leo, and Maumee Branches later were discontinued.
They disappeared from library records during the 1950s.

In 1958, four of the five city branches occupied buildings that had
been purchased for that use. Only one - perhaps Maumee Branch, as it was
discontinued by 1961 - remained in a rented building. In 1963, the library
system had eight branches, believed to be Harlan, Little Turtle,
Monroeville, New Haven, Pontiac, Shawnee, Tecumseh, and Woodbum.
Waynedale Branch had disappeared from the list, to be reestablished in the
early 1970s.

In 1967, an offer by a local businessman to construct a branch
library near ZoUner Stadium at Anthony Boulevard and Saint Joe River
Drive to replace Tecumseh Branch prompted Fred Reynolds to review the
state of the four existing city branches at a library Board meeting. It was
decided that, since the current branches were poorly located and in need of
more floor space and public parking, each branch would be considered for
relocation or renovation. In 1968, several sites were considered, including
a three-acre tract at U.S. 30 and State Road 37, the Moellering property on
Cornell Circle at Calhoun Street, and a location on the south side of Fairfax
Avenue between Werling and Cascade Drives. Public protest blocked
establishment of branches at the Fairfax Avenue and Moellering property
locations. Local residents presented a remonstrance with more than 160
signatures at at a public hearing for rezoning of the Fairfax Avenue
property, saying the branch would depreciate their property. Other
complaints were that two schools and a YMCA in the area already
contributed to a limited amount of parking, poorly planned streets,
congestion, and loitering by young people who were noisy at night, ran
through yards, drove across lawns, and screeched around comers. Reynolds
said the branch would be an asset to any area. "It is inconceivable to me that
anyone would be against a library in the neighborhood,"'* he commented
to the News-Sentinel.

Citizens who remonstrated against the Moellering property location
at a City Plan Commission meeting were not particularly opposed to a
branch library in their neighborhood, but to the possibility that an apartment
building would be constmcted on the other half of the lot. The library could

''*John Ankenbruck, "Protest Greets Plan for Branch Library," Fort
Wayne News Sentinel^ Apr. 10, 1968.

170

not purchase just half of the lot, and could not afford to leave the unused
part of the lot empty. Rezoning of the property to allow a library branch
also would allow the construction of an apartment building. In the end, the
property was rezoned from R-1 to R-3 to allow the branch, with a covenant
that would restrict the land to library use. In effect, this covenant would
have forced the library system to purchase more land than it could use, and
possibly for that reason, no branch was ever built at that location.

Neither did property at the northwest comer of U.S. 30 and State
Road 37 become a branch location. The library Board returned, unsigned,
a proposal from the Indiana-Purdue Foundation for the lease of the property
at $1,500 annually for fifty years. This annual lease payment far exceeded
what the Board expected to pay for the site. Finally, late in 1968, the Board
approved a professional survey of possible branch sites. Reynolds visualized
two branches, one north and one south, as ideal, rather than a large chain
of branches which he felt the library system could not afford. Quality, not
quantity, was to be the focus. The consultants' tasks were to make a survey
of the branch library system, plan individual buildings, and recommend site
locations. The team's retainer was $2,000.

To avoid citizen protest against branches such as it had encountered
in 1968, the Board in 1970 sought passage of a bill that would allow
libraries to build branches in any area without City Plan Commission
approval - the same status governing schools, churches, and fire stations. If
the measure passed, the Board still would be required to get Board of
Zoning Appeals permission to build branches. The City Plan Commission
voted against the bill, but expressed a willingness to work with the library
to obtain approval for locations for new branches.

Harry Peterson, head of the District of Columbia library, led the
team of consultants that studied the local branch system. The consultants
considered population concentration and trends, man-made and natural
barriers, and proximity to other existing libraries. The preliminary
recommendation called for four or five branches to replace existing branch
facilities. In March 1970, the Board authorized Reynolds to negotiate for the
purchase of two fixture branch sites, at Georgetown Square Shopping Center
and on Hessen Cassel Road at Paulding Road. In April, the Board approved
circulating petitions toward a $2,400,000 bond issue to finance the
construction of branch buildings. Besides the Georgetown and Hessen Cassel
locations, a branch would be built at Waynedale, Pontiac would be moved
to a remodeled location, and Shawnee and Little Turtle Branches would be
located in new buildings. Only Tecumseh Branch remained the same.
Northern Trust Group of Chicago was the successfiil bidder on the bond
issue in July.

Lx)cal architects were interviewed and ideas discussed for the
branches in October 1970. With a background in technical librarianship and
an interest in drafting, Assistant Librarian Robert H. Vegeler assisted in

171

creating the interior layouts for several of the new structures.

The new branches received a positive reception in their respective
neighborhoods. In 1972, city residents gave an enthusiastic reception to
story hour programs for children offered in the branch libraries. In 1974,
although total book circulation declined, circulation at the branches
increased by more than 100,000 over the previous year.

The county branches also were popular during the 1970s. Patrons
of those facilities borrowed 37,000 more books in 1975 than in 1974. The
late 1970s and early 1980s were the time for renovation of county branches.
In 1979, the proposed unified city-county budget included $100,000 for
renovation of New Haven's and Harlan's branch buildings, and for rental
space for additional county branches. The unified Board of Trustees, which
replaced the former city and county Boards, could upgrade facilities outside
the Fort Wayne city limits, a power that the former county contractual
Board lacked. In 1980, the Board approved the expenditure of $40,000 to
upgrade Harlan, Monroeville, New Haven, and Woodbum Branches.
Changes included increased hours, additional staff, improved book
collections, and building repairs. Outdated or seldom-used materials were
eliminated, and some facilities received new signs, furniture, and fixtures.
The county branch plan was developed by Robert H, Vegeler and Rick J.
Ashton. The possibility of new county branches also was being considered
as part of the library's long-range planning process. "We felt as a county
institution, we had some responsibility to show some action in the county as
soon as possible,"'^ Ashton said. Circulation increased seventeen percent
for the first six months of 1980, and forty-six percent in June of 1980, and
was partly attributed to improvements in county branch libraries.

While residents near two proposed branch sites in the late 1960s
opposed construction of branches in their areas, citizens of other parts of
Fort Wayne and Allen County in the late 1970s and into the 1980s clamored
for the establishment of branch libraries in their neighborhoods. In May
1976, residents of the north side of Fort Wayne presented a petition to the
library Board with about four hundred signatures, asking for a branch in the
Crestwood and Northcrest area. While library officials were sympathetic,
a frozen tax rate disallowed the creation of new branches at that time.

The establishment of new branches continued as an issue in 1981.
A draft of the library system's five-year plan that year did not identify sites
for new branches, but directed that standards for choosing branch locations,
such as minimum population density, maximum acceptable travel times for
citizens to their nearest library facility, and relationship with shopping and
other facilities, be developed by December 1982.

"Byron Spice, "Branch Libraries to Get Books, Staff, Repairs," Fort
Wayne Journal-Gazette, Jan. 25, 1980.

172

Early in the 1980s, a team of consultants again was hired to study
the issue of branch libraries. The Branch Library Service Plan submitted to
the Board in December 1984, recommended closing Harlan, Shawnee,
Tecumseh, and Woodbum Branches in order to afford the establishment of
branches in the areas of Time Comers, Huntertown or the I*ine Valley Mall,
and Leo-Grabill-Cedarville. When the library held public hearings on a plan
for branch library service in 1985, residents in northwest Allen County held
a petition drive in favor of the creation of a branch in their area. However,
public protest against closing the existing branches also was swift and vocal.
The Board declined to act on the consultant team's recommendation and
asked for further study of the issue, promising not to close any existing
branch before 1987. In the meantime, consideration of the subject stalled
when Director Rick Ashton left the library system.

In 1986, a special committee of the Board of Trustees was appointed
to again study the issue of branch library service in the county. The
committee's investigations were based on the premise that all existing
branches would remain open, but that library services also needed to be
expanded to growing areas of the county. Northwest Allen County residents
in 1987 were still so enthusiastic about the possibility of obtaining a branch
in their area, that some volunteered their time to help staff the branch, or
to organize ftindraisers to benefit it. The two areas that were pinpointed by
the committee as needing branch service most were this northwest Allen
County area and Aboite Township. Branches were constructed in both areas,
and the other eleven branches in the Allen County Public Library system
were remodeled or rebuilt during a systemwide refurbishment project in
1989-90.

Many technological changes have taken place at branch libraries
within the last fifteen years. For example, in 1981, Hessen Cassel and
Tecumseh Branches had computers for patron use. In 1982, branches began
loaning record albums, and the six largest branches also loaned audio
cassette tapes. By 1993, all branches had at least one computer CD-ROM
product for patron use. In 1985, library officials began the process of
automating many of the system's ftmctions. At that time, five branches had
no card catalogs, and it was impossible to determine at any branch whether
the main library had an item requested by a patron. Branch staff were
looking forward to being linked by computer to the main library. This
occurred in 1990-1991, when the branches first were able to use the
automated circulation system; then patrons gained access to the
computerized catalog.

In 1991, library staff began working to create a strategic plan for
1992 through 1997. Included in it were several ideas that impacted branch
libraries: review the need for and cost of public telephones at various
branches; offer reference service at all library agencies; consider
establishment of more uniform open hours for branches; assess interior and

173

exterior signage; and upgrade smoke and fire alarm systems as appropriate
at branches.

Although the branches were virtually autonomous except in budget
matters from the mid- to late- 1920s until 1972, Erdean McCloud had the
title Supervisor of Branches in 1924. In 1972, the Branch Supervisor
position was created and Steven C. Fortriede, the library's current Associate
Director, had that duty until 1980. The position's name was changed to
Branch Operations Manager, and Sheldon Kaye served in this capacity from
1981 to 1986, followed by Michael B. Clegg from 1987 to the present. A
Bookmobile Supervisor was on the public library's payroll from the 1920s.
Pat Murray had this title during the 1960s and 1970s. In recent times and
until their discontinuation, bookmobiles were under the supervision of the
Branch Operations Manager.

Aboite Branch

One of the earliest deposit stations . . . has come to be regarded as a
permanent and indispensable institution in the neighborhood.

The Aboite area received
its first service from what is now
the Allen County Public Library
when a deposit collection was
placed at William Wilder' s general
store in 1921. In fact, by 1922,
two deposit collections were
located within the township, one at
Aboite and one at Aboite Center.
The Aboite collection circulated
two hundred books between its
opening in the last month or so of
1921 and a tally taken in March of
1922. From February to April of that year, the collection loaned 204 books.

The Aboite Center station was said in the spring of 1922 to have
had "a small but appreciative list of readers.""^ As early as 1935, it was
under the direction of Henry Stute and his wife, and was located at their
store. When the deposit collection at Lafayette Center was discontinued
because of lack of funds, many patrons of that collection began borrowing
books from Aboite Center. Others transferred their allegiance to the
Roanoke Public Library, which was under the jurisdiction of the Huntington

The Aboite deposit
General Store, 1928.

at Wilder's

"^"Effect Book Exchange," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Feb. 10, 1922.

174

County library system, but some Huntington County patrons living near the
Allen County line also chose to cx)me to Aboite Center. Some patrons came
to the Aboite Center collection from as far as five or six miles away, rather
than travel to the next-nearest collections of library books, the Waynedale
and Areola Branches eight and ten miles away. The main challenge faced by
the Aboite Center deposit collection in the mid- 1930s was supplying a
sufficiently large number of new books. Because this was not possible in the
early years of the Depression, circulation decreased somewhat for the
collection. In the mid- 1930s, the Aboite Center deposit collection circulated
5,000 to 6,000 volumes annually.

At several times in Aboite Township's history, its residents have
urged the library to locate a branch within its boundaries. In March 1974,
the library Board discussed building a branch library in Aboite Township
with the aid of federal revenue sharing funds, but this attempt did not bear
fruit. In September 1981, when a public hearing took place in conjunction
with the formation of a five-year plan for the library, one of the requests for
services from patrons was the establishment of a Time Comers-area branch
library.

In 1984, a consultants' study recommended the establishment of a
branch in the southwestern part of the county, however the recommendation
was tabled. In 1987, Aboite Township still ranked as one of the two areas
with the greatest need for a branch library, and administrators began looking
for a site.

Finally, in September 1989, the library bought property in the
Village of Coventry shopping center, and on the 18th of that month, ground
was broken for what would become the Aboite Branch. Construction took
about a calendar year. During the time the branch was being built, the
newly-hired Aboite Branch staff members worked in the basement of the
main library in Fort Wayne, preparing materials for the branch's opening.
October 29, 1990, the branch opened to the public with Susan Hunt as
manager. A public dedication took place November, 17, 1990.

Activities since the branch's opening have included a fun foods for
kids lecture, zoo visits, a spring break puppet show, tax help, participation
in the 4-H Learn- About series, a celebration of National Young Readers'
Day, a workshop on gingerbread house-decorating, celebration of National
Children's Book Week, and a workshop on science fair project organization.
In May 1991 staff members prepared "The Subject Guide: A Listing of
Popular Subjects and Classification Numbers."

Areola Branch

J.C. Hiler's general store was the location of the Areola deposit
station, which was established November 26, 1921. Between that date and

The Areola deposit station in the
local hardware store, 1928.

175

March 1922, the station circulated
between 130 and 140 volumes.

Although not spectacular
compared to branch libraries, this
was a high rate of business for a
deposit station and was the impetus
for the opening of the Areola
Reading Room in December 1929
in the town's bank building. Bessie
Corbett'^ was in charge of the
room. Throughout its history,
Areola was known alternately as a reading room or a branch. Generally, the
difference between the two designations was a paid librarian. However,
although Areola had one in Bessie Corbett, it still sometimes was called a
reading room, perhaps because of its relatively small circulation. Circulation
from the branch in 1933 was 4,798.

Areola had one of the two smallest circulation gains among branch
libraries from November 1934 to November 1935. Library officials
lamented, "It is not clear why Areola and New Haven branches should
function less well than others."'^

Areola Branch closed for the summer in 1941. It appeared as a
branch in the city directories of 1943, 1949, and 1955, and in the 1953
annual report as a branch or sub-branch, but nothing later has been found
that mentions Areola Branch.

Dupont Branch

... mutual involvement of the library in the community and the people in the
community with their library.

In November 1921, a deposit collection opened at Scott Warehouse
in Wallen. This was the first service of the Public Library of Fort Wayne
and Allen County to this northwestern portion of the county. Between the
time of its opening and March 1922, the collection circulated between 130
and 140 books. The library also operated a branch at Huntertown from 1921
through about the mid-1950s, but from that period through the late 1980s,

'^This librarian's surname has been found spelled Corbett, Corbot, and
Corbit; however it has appeared in sources most frequently as Corbett.

'*Rex M. Potterf, "Increase Book Circulation in Rural Library Branches
Shown," Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Dec. 6, 1935.

176

service to northwestern Allen County was provided primarily through
bookmobile stops.

As early as 1984, the St. Joseph-Washington-Perry Township area
north and northwest of Fort Wayne was suggested as a prime location for
a branch. However action was not taken until 1987, when the Board began
looking for property. Area residents were eager to help obtain a branch, and
promised their help in various capacities, including offers to staff the
branch, raise funds or donate money toward its creation. In September 1989,
the library system bought a site at the west end of Dupont Crossing
Shopping Center at Coldwater and Dupont Roads. Groundbreaking for what
became the Dupont Branch took place September 18. The branch was
officially named at the September Board meeting.

October 15, 1990, Dupont Branch opened to the public with Susan
Waggoner as manager.

Waggoner described the branch as unique, from the design of the
building to its service. The building was designed as a square set over and
turned across a rectangle. All service points of the branch are visible from
the entryway. From Dupont Branch's inception, its staff members tried to
develop a unique identity for the facility. Employees contributed financially
for a banner to be hung at the branch on opening day. The Wednesday
Night Quilters group, which meets at the branch, stitched a quilt based on
the American Library Association slogan "Libraries Change Lives" and
recently presented it to Dupont Branch. It represents "the mutual
involvement of the library in the community and the people in the
community in their library, "'' Waggoner said in article about the quilt.

The community served by Dupont Branch has shown its enthusiasm
for the branch since its opening, a fact that is reflected by a constant growth
in circulation, the use of the meeting room, study room, and computers, and
in program attendance. Branch programs are planned in direct response to
the interests expressed by community patrons, and topics have ranged from
genealogy for beginners to science fair projects, introduction to computers
to job hunting, and basic investing to winter bird feeding.

The creation of exhibits is another way branch personnel seek to
inform and entertain patrons. Some have included old toys at Christmas,
early American collectibles during the Laura Ingalls Wilder celebration, and
patrons' collections, including items ranging from baseball cards to salt
shakers. Other exhibits have featured kites, model airplanes, and a fifteen-
by nineteen-foot wooden dinosaur model.

Children are an important patron group for Dupont Branch; half of
its business is with young people. Services for children at the branch include

'^Susan M. Waggoner, "Libraries Change Lives: A Quilt for the Dupont
Branch," Focus on Indiana Libraries (January 1994).

177

story hours for infants and preschoolers, participation in the Summer
Reading Program, school visits, tours by classes and other groups, a parent-
teacher collection, consideration of teacher loan requests, and a strong
collection of children's materials. Family programs include author visits,
musical performances, and participation in system-wide programs.
Children's literary character Amelia Bedelia has visited the branch, as has
a Morgan horse. The annual Laura Ingalls Wilder birthday celebration is
very popular. During the spring and summer of 1993, Dupont Branch hosted
a gardening program, during which flowers and shrubs were added to the
branch's landscape.

At Dupont Branch, young adults have become a strong part of the
patron population. In May 1991, Dupont Branch instituted a very successful
young adult volunteer program. Twenty-seven young people signed up to
help with various branch chores, such as shelving paperbacks, stamping date
due slips, and helping with tasks in the children's area. The group also has
written a newspaper, helped develop the young adult comer, and given
invaluable assistance to the children's librarian. At least twenty young adults
volunteer at the branch. Dupont also has a number of volunteers of other
ages, one of whom began working with the staff even before the branch
opened and works nearly fulltime. According to Waggoner, Dupont Branch
owes much of its success to its volunteers.

Susan Waggoner left the library system in 1994. A new Dupont
Branch manager has not yet been hired.

Georgetown Branch

Warmth and informality will be the key considerations in design of the
Georgetown Branch Library.

As early as 1921, residents of St. Joseph Township had public
library service in the form of a deposit station located at Thomas Bums'
general store. However, it was not until 1970 that fruitful steps toward
locating a branch in this growing area of the county were taken. In March
of that year, the library Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Fort
Wayne and Allen County authorized Head Librarian Fred Reynolds to
negotiate for a branch site in Georgetown Square Shopping Center at the
comer of East State Boulevard and Maplecrest Road. The property consisted
of almost 1.62 acres east of the First Federal Savings and Loan and cost
about $35,000. By December, the purchase had been completed.

Bradley & Bradley, or Bradley Partnership of Archonics
Corporation, was the architectural firm selected to design the new
Georgetown Branch library, which was slated to house between 50,000 and

178

75,000 books and have a minimum of one hundred seats for readers. Plans
for the branch were approved in August 1971. They called for buff colored
brick to be used on the building's exterior, with a zinc roof, and bronze-
tinted glass for windows. Plaster and brick veneer walls would be used
inside, with an acoustical plaster ceiling. Twenty-six construction bids were
reviewed that September. Civilian Construction Company was awarded the
general contractor bid. Early projections estimated that the construction
would take about six months. This later was increased to one year.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for Georgetown Branch took place in
September 1971. It was to be the largest of five proposed branch libraries
that were being constructed or relocated at the time. The one-story building
would contain 14,750 square feet. It was speculated that this new branch in
one of the Fort Wayne metropolitan area's fastest growing sections
conceivably could loan more books than the main library. Pre-opening
estimates suggested that the branch would require three professional
librarians, two or three clerks, and two or three pages.

Vandalism became a problem at Georgetown before its opening. A
bronze plate glass window valued at $262 was broken, and the expense had
to be borne by the library since the system could not get insurance on a
building under construction. Suggestions for avoiding further vandalism
were to use plywood in place of glass until the building was about to be
opened, and to hire a security guard to police the empty building on Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Georgetown Branch opened November 27, 1972, with Patricia
Moorman as librarian. It was open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. The

Georgetown Branch opened in 1973.

179

branch provided reading and study areas for adults, young adults, and
children. The children's area had a story hour alcove. A meeting room was
available for adults. The 1973 library system budget included increases in
electricity costs by $23,435, and coal, fuel oil, and gas costs of $12,599. It
was surmised that the opening of the Georgetown and Hessen Cassel
Branches largely contributed to these increases.

Georgetown's vandalism problems were not solved with its opening.
In June 1974, an $850 window was broken. Another challenge faced was
one that has haunted the library throughout its history with various buildings
- leaking roofs. In December 1978, a structural consultant hired by the
library reported that an attempt by the architectural firm to fix some leaks
in the lower portion of the roof at Georgetown had been successful, but that
rain still leaked through the upper part of the roof. The firm planned to
continue to hunt for the leaks which had plagued the building since it
opened. Some interior damage had occurred because of the roof leaks.

The leaks continued to be a serious problem. In May 1979, the
library Board arranged a meeting with architect Carl Bradley to discuss
interior and exterior problems with the roof. Bradley made some
recommendations for a solution to the problem in June, but by August
nothing further had been done. At that time, the City-County Minimum
Housing and Relocation Department gave notice that it would condemn the
branch and order it vacated if significant repairs were not made within thirty
days, and that the branch would remain closed until such time as conditions
had been corrected. An inspection by the department "revealed extensive
deterioration of walls and the ceiling in the northwest comer of the ceiling
and evidence that the roof is leaking."^ The Board ordered Director
Robert Vegeler to inspect the branch and close it if he deemed that a hazard
existed. The Board also requested a report on work needed to repair the roof
and interior of the building. The consulting engineer said he believed the
building would require a new roof. Rick Ashton later said library officials
encouraged the condemnation procedure as a way of "forcing the issue" and
getting some action on the leaky roof.

Repairs on Georgetown Branch's roof were completed as prescribed
by the architect within the thirty-day time period, but the consulting
engineer remained skeptical about whether they would solve the problem.
Minimum Housing Director John Holt agreed to delay a condemnation
decision until spring rains demonstrated whether problems had been
corrected. By this time, the leaks had damaged walls, ceilings, carpet, and
baseboards in the branch.

In August 1981, a local newspaper reported that the library Board

^"Branch Library Faces Closing without Repairs," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Aug. 28, 1979.

180

and the Georgetown Branch architect were still "at odds" over alleged leaks
in the branch's roof. The architect maintained that he had monitored the
roof during and after various rainfall conditions, and that it no longer
leaked. Ashton and library Board member Zohrab Tazian disagreed. "It's
not true, the roof is still leaking,"^' Tazian told the Board after reading a
letter from the architect. "The roof is full of water. We have continuing
damage, "^^ Ashton said. In 1982, the roof Georgetown Branch was further
repaired, which finally solved the problem.

Throughout its history, Georgetown has not been the stereotypical
quiet library, partly due to its popularity with children of the surrounding
neighborhoods. In January 1982, a newspaper article reported on the
branch's activities for children. At that time, Georgetown hosted eight story
hours per week, with 120 to 150 preschool children participating in each
one. The branch also had a Second Saturday event for school-aged children
from October through April. Other activities included craft projects,
recorded stories, and Dial-a-Story. Events at Georgetown Branch throughout
the 1980s included visits from children's authors Syd Hoff and Betsy Byars,
a Dungeons and Dragons Day, and occasional bedtime story hours for which
children were encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas.

In 1983, Georgetown and Shawnee Branches remained open from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays during the summer. This ensured that at least
one branch in the northern and southern areas of the city was open on
Saturday. In 1985, Kathryn Witwer succeeded Barbara Schwartlander as
manager of Georgetown Branch. Also in that year, steps were taken toward
an administrative reorganization of branches that would create regions, each
comprised of a large and several smaller branches. The Northeast Region
included Georgetown, Tecumseh, New Haven, Harlan, and Woodbum
Branches. This idea apparently later was abandoned.

In 1989, Georgetown Branch was included in a system-wide project
for remodeling and reconstructing of library buildings in the county.
Georgetown closed September 16, 1989, and opened at its alternate location
(also in Georgetown Square Shopping Center) September 25. The branch's
open hours remained the same. The branch building was treated to
considerable interior and exterior demolition and remodeling. January 2,
1990, the alternate location was closed, and the branch reopened in its own
building January 15.

Georgetown Branch in the early 1990s has been the site of a
preschool fire safety program, scary stories for Halloween, after-school

^'Bill Zlatos, "Library, Architect at Odds over 'Leak,'" Fort Wayne
News Sentinel, Aug. 28, 1981.

22-

Ibid.

181

kids' club activities, "going to the hospital" story hour, tax help, Saturday
craft activities, Saturday preschools, zoo visits, and more. The materials
collection includes adults' and children's hardback and paperback books,
records, and tapes. The branch has computers, typewriters, and meeting
rooms. It houses approximately 60,000 adult and juvenile books, picture
books and easy readers, best-sellers in multiple copies, classics, large-print
books, recorded books on tape, book/cassette kits for children, magazines,
newspapers, and vertical files. Services include adult programming, business
reference, and craft programs for children.

Harlan Branch

We want books. If the county will provide books and service, we will do the
rest.

Harlan's first public library service was a deposit collection of one
hundred books placed in Reeder Drug Store November 6, 1921 . Even at that
early date, demand for library service was strong in Harlan, and library
officials planned to open a branch at Harlan as soon as a room could be
found.

In December 1921 , the librarian in charge reported that remodeling
and redecorating work on the room that would become the Harlan Branch
soon would be finished and circulation of books would begin as soon as the
shelves were constructed. Paint, wallpaper, linoleum, and shelving were
financed through the library's county fiind with the understanding that the
library would be reimbursed by the Harlan community as soon as the funds
could be raised. "We want books. If the county will provide books and
service, we will do the rest,"^^ was the attitude of the community.

January 3 or 4, 1922, the Harlan Branch library opened in a small,
rented, two-room building. One large room was the branch's reading room;
a smaller room was earmarked to be the future Children's Department of the
branch. Three hundred books, including fiction, nonfiction, and juvenile
volumes, were on the shelves on opening day, and that number would
increase monthly until a collection of six hundred volumes was reached. A
large number of Harlan residents attended the opening, and forty borrowers
were registered with cards in one hour. Eva Kinsey was the first librarian
of Harlan Branch. In the beginning, the branch was open 2 to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday. Harlan was the first county branch to be housed in a building
used solely for library purposes.

'Metz, "Allen County Library Service," 243.

182

By the end of its first week of operation, Harlan Branch could
report 153 registered borrowers. On the day the report was filed, it had 165
volumes in circulation. The branch circulated 712 volumes in January 1922,
with children and adults borrowing about an equal number of books. Plans
were made to introduce the library to the citizens of the surrounding area at
the upcoming Farmer's Institute. It was the smallest of the county branches.
The population of the isolated town of Harlan was only about five hundred,
but the branch effectively served all of Springfield Township.

Within a few years, the small, rented library building in Harlan had
been outgrown. In 1924, through the efforts of county library Board
member Robert Murphy, banker L.V. Likens, and several leading citizens
of the Harlan area, money was raised through popular subscription to
purchase a lot on Maysville Road, Harlan's main street, for a new library
building. Construction of the branch began late in 1924. Elmer Zeis won the
general construction contract in the amount of $5,545; Pifer Electric did
wiring for $189; Fred E. Minnick installed the furnace for $204; and W.
Borkenstein installed plumbing for $313. Harlan Branch reopened in its new
Colonial-style building of dark red brick in January 1925. The building had
window boxes, shutters, and a bay window. Two large pine trees flanked
the entrance.

In the 1930s, Harlan Branch was a source of pride. Although the
local school had its own library plus books provided by the public library,
children also were encouraged to use the public library branch. Calling on
these combined
resources helped
keep school
standards up, it
was noted. Harlan
Branch had a
large collection of
popular
magazines, and its
book collection
was especially
valued during the
Depression years.

Funds
were insufficient
to keep the branch
open all of the

time during the lean 1930s, however. Early in the decade, Harlan's hours
were 1 1 :30 to 12:30, 2:30 to 4:30, and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and 2 to 5 and
6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. By 1934, the branch was open only 2 to 5 p.m. and
6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Harlan began opening six days a week

Harlan Branch interior, 1930.

183

again in the fall of 1935.

Eva Kinsey resigned as Harlan Branch Librarian in 1936 and was
replaced by Frances Henry, then Lillian Berdein Perkins, from 1936 to
1967. At that time, Perkins resigned and was replaced by Beulah Tustison.
Tustison retired in 1993. The current Harlan Branch Manager is Ellen
Duffy.

Improvements have been made to Harlan Branch a number of times
over the years. In June 1979, the combined city-county library budget
allowed about $100,000 for the renovation of the Harlan and New Haven
Branch buildings. In January 1980, probably as a result of the 1979 budget
allocation, the Board approved an expenditure of $40,000 to upgrade
Harlan, Monroeville, New Haven, and Woodbum Branches, as well as
Pontiac Reading Room. The improvements included increased hours,
additional staff, improved book collections, and repaired buildings. A
parking lot was constructed at Harlan as a part of this project.

Harlan was one of four branches named in a 1984 consultants'
report that favored closing certain existing branches to open three new
branches in growing areas of the county; however it was never closed. In
September 1989, Harlan Branch was part of a comprehensive remodeling
project that involved the entire library system. The branch closed for just
over a month - the beginning of December 1989 through the middle of
January 1990 - for interior work.

Featured in the 1990s have been weekly children's story hours,
Christmas story hours, and Easter programs. Harlan Branch is located at
17530 State Road 37 (Maysville Road) in the town of Harlan. It currently
serves a community of about 5,000 residents, and its collection includes
board books for infants, books for young adults, easy readers, and a large
picture book collection, as well as adult bestsellers, classics, popular fiction,
cookbooks, craft instruction books, and how-to-do-it manuals. Harlan
Branch has a small reference collection, adult and juvenile records,
book/cassette kits for children, magazines, computers, and educational
computer games.

Hessen Cassel Branch

[Hessen Cassel was the] first of several branch facilities designed to offer
better and more efficient service to outlying areas.

In August 1968, the library Board considered a two-acre tract of
land in the area of South Anthony Boulevard, Paulding Road and Hessen
Cassel Road as a possible branch library site. The L-shaped property was
priced at $40,000 and contained between two and a half and three acres.
The citizens of the Village Woods community expressed support for a

184

proposed southeastern branch library in a letter to the Board in November
of that year. Negotiation for the site was still occurring in August 1970, but
by December, the Board of Zoning Appeals heard an appeal for a permit to
build a library on the site.

In August 1970, the leading candidates for the name of this new
satellite were Paulding Branch or Continental Park Branch, but at the
September Board meeting, it was named Hessen Cassel Branch. Fred
Reynolds explained to the Board that Cassel was a town in Hesse, a region
of Germany. Because people from Hesse settled early in the area where the
branch was being established, the name Hessen Cassel had been prominent
there for more than one hundred years and therefore would be a locator for
the facility, he added.

Schenkel, Shultz & Hodge was the architecture firm chosen to
design Hessen Cassel Branch. Like Georgetown, which was being planned
at the same time, Hessen Cassel would house 50,000 to 75,000 books and
have seating space for one hundred readers.

In February 1971, a Fort Wayne City Plan Commission hearing
featured a library petition asking that the Commission approve extension of
the multiple family residential zone westward 180 feet to provide more
space for the building, which by then was planned to be larger than
originally anticipated. Support for the branch was expressed by St. Henry's
Church members and an area community association. However some
residents wondered what land next to the site, owned by Lincoln National
Bank & Trust Company, would be used for. It originally had been slated for
use as a bank, but the company's attorney indicated that instead it would be
fashioned into a park.

In June 1971 , the Board viewed preliminary plans for Hessen Cassel
Branch. The one-story, flat-roofed facility would have 12,580 to 13,600
square feet, a multi-purpose room with a seating capacity of one hundred
and a kitchenette, children's, adults' and young adults' departments, a typing
room, an office, a work area, a lounge and restrooms for staff, and a
mechanical room with storage for equipment. Kinder Construction Company
won the contract for construction of the building. A feature unique to
Hessen Cassel Branch was that it was to be constructed with special
consideration given to the needs of patrons with disabilities. All areas would
have no-steps access. The building was to be brown brick with limestone
trim. A description of the facility, published in 1972, had the following to
say about Hessen Cassel Branch: "A one story brick structure of interesting
shape, it contains 12,600 square feet of floor space surrounded by contrasts
of dark oak paneling and deep, warm shades of red, orange, yellow and
buff. The reading areas are thickly carpeted in red, tamed by a black

185

Hessen Cassel groundbreaking ceremonies took place in September
1971 . The branch opened October 2, 1972, at 3030 East Paulding Road with
regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and
Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Thursday. Kenneth Lauer was
in charge. Tuesday evening hours were added shortly after the facility's
opening.

Lauer left Hessen Cassel in 1973 to open the new location of
Shawnee Branch, and Marjorie Z. Sharp, who had been Lauer' s assistant,
became branch manager. Sharp left in 1974 and Deanna Sue Beeching
became manager of Hessen Cassel Branch. Like Sharp, Beeching had been
assistant manager before her promotion. In 1977, when Beeching resigned,
Stephen Frederick Richards became manager and remained in the job until
August of 1978. Rosie Desmonds Stier followed in the position and
managed until June 1979. Theresa Ann Meadows, the next Hessen Cassel
Branch manager, held the position until about 1990. When she left,
Christine Lussier, then Deborah Marie Gordon, performed duties as acting
manager. Helen Holmstrom, the current Hessen Cassel Branch manager,
was hired in the spring of 1991.

Throughout the branch's history, its staff has planned special
programming for patrons. In March 1976, a FILMS PLUS series was
begun, featuring "The Six Wives of Henry VIH" and "The Spoils of
Poynton." The project was funded by the National Endowment for the
Humanities to stimulate more effective use of the library as a humanities
resource through the reading of books related to the films shown. In
December 1981, Hessen Cassel and Tecumseh Branches made computers
available to their patrons free of charge. The library system's goal was
eventually to make computers available at all branches and the main library.
In 1982, special programming included a visit from children's author and
illustrator Syd Hoff, a showing of the "Muppet Movie," and a showing of
the children's film series movie "Devil at 4 O'clock."

Other programs have included a visit by young adult author Marion
Dane Bauer, twice- weekly story hours, teddy bear bonanza, a howling
Halloween party, bedtime bear club, paperback book sales, an adult share-a-
book program, an introduction to genealogy lecture, a bookmark contest, a
Thanksgiving party, holiday parties and crafts. National Women's History
Month celebration, tax assistance, a lecture on nutrition labeling, a spring
break blowout, zoo visits, a bunny craft, special book displays, a tablecraft
celebrating the seventieth anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb,
parent-teacher workshops. Children's Book Week activities, a Mickey

^"Hessen Cassel Branch Prepared for Opening," Fort Wayne Journal
Gazette, Sep. 17, 1972.

186

Mouse tablecraft, and a reading of young adult sports fiction, to name a
sampling.

In 1989, Hessen Cassel was remodeled. Unlike many other branches
that participated in the systemwide project, Hessen Cassel remained open
during the construction. Part of the remodeling project for the southeastern
branch included the creation of a bridge from the main area of the building
into the children's area, and a new facade for the children's area.

Hessen Cassel Branch serves the southeast section of Fort Wayne
and Allen County. It has a large collection of hardback and paperback books
for adults, young adults, and children. Other items in the collection include
audio compact disks, cassette tapes, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, Books-
on-Tape, and periodicals, including more than one hundred magazine
subscriptions. A meeting room is available for non-commercial business or
educational meetings. The main goal of the branch for the future, according
to Holmstrom, is to expand its collection to meet the needs of all of its
patrons.

High School Branch

Practically every one of the 84 seats ... is filled during the busy periods of
the day, and a long line of students line up for books to take home over-
night.

In September 1917, the public library established a branch at Barr
and Lewis Streets in the high school that later would be named Central High
School. The high school donated some books for the branch, furnished the
room, and provided some of the equipment. The public library provided the
librarian, many new books, and the remainder of the needed equipment.
Unlike other public library branches, this one was for high school students
and teachers only, not the general public. The branch soon proved a boon
to the teachers and pupils of the school.

Prior to the opening of the High School Branch, library staff
members from the Children's and Cataloging Departments had reclassified
and recataloged all of the books of the high school library - a task that took
them all summer. Marian Webb of the Children's Department was in charge
of the High School Branch at its opening, but Florence Klinkenberg was
appointed librarian in 1918 when it was determined that the work was too
great for only a share of one employee's attention.

In 1921, the High School Branch had 4,066 volumes in its
collection, and circulation numbered 20,032. Hester Perry became librarian
after Klinkenberg, and when she resigned in 1924, Emma Eckels was
appointed head of the High School Branch. She was transferred to the main
library that same year, and Erdean McCloud, formerly of the Southside

187

(Shawnee) Branch, became librarian at the High School Branch.

The High School Branch still existed at Central High School in
1926, with Erdean McCloud - a public library employee - as librarian. Upon
the construction of North Side and South Side High Schools, branches also
were established at those schools. In 1930 the High School Branches severed
their connection with the public library and returned to the jurisdiction of
the school system.

Huntertown Branch

Huntertown was to be one of our branch towns . . .

In September 1921 at the Allen County Fair in Huntertown, the
public library had a booth showing aspects of planned service to the
residents of Allen County. The county fair "seemed the psychological time
to bring home to the county people in general a realization of what book
service might mean to them," said County Librarian Corinne Metz at the
time. "Huntertown was to be one of our branch towns, so we hurried
through the preparation of the initial book collection for the Huntertown
Branch and arranged the exhibit to represent a branch library.""

Two months later, on November 10, 1921, the first public library
branch outside of the Fort Wayne city limits opened in the Directors' Room
of the Huntertown State Bank. Three hundred books were on the shelves at
its opening.

By November 1921, library officials already were beginning to
discuss construction a separate building for Huntertown Branch because of
its high volume of business. Sixty books were borrowed in the first week of
the branch's existence, and 157 were circulated as of the first circulation
report, made the first week of December. In December alone, Huntertown
Branch circulated 275 volumes, of which 125 were fiction, thirty-seven were
non-fiction, and 118 were juvenile books. Circulation continued to increase
in 1922. In January, the branch circulated 328 volumes. Most of its patrons
were older people and two-thirds of the branch's circulation was attributed
to them.

September 30, 1924, Huntertown Branch reopened in a building
constructed for its use. It was the first of the county branches to have its
own building. Money had been donated by citizens of the community to
finance relocating the branch. Charles Hartung of the county library Board
spoke about the branch at its dedication September 27. He noted that
contributions for the library building came from everyone in the community,

^Metz, "Allen County Library Service," 242.

188

rather than from a few wealthy citizens, so that upon its dedication, the
Huntertown Branch truly belonged to the citizens of the town. Bert J.
Griswold gave the dedication address, titled "The Public Library as a
Personal Friend." Elizabeth Kell was branch librarian at the time of the
building's opening.

By January 1929, the four county branches - Huntertown, New
Haven, Monroeville, and Harlan - each had its own separate building
erected on a lot presented to the library Board by the community. Each
branch had a paid librarian who was from the area, regular open hours, a
monthly story hour for children, a growing collection of books, a catalog,
and reference aids. Branches were in contact with the main library by
telephone for special requests. Branches also often had special exhibits of
books. Marie Walter was librarian in 1934.

After reducing hours earlier in the decade, Huntertown Branch
began opening again Monday through Saturday in 1935, and saw an increase
of 150 percent in circulation in November of that year over November of
1934. Summer hours for 1936 were 2 to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday and
6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Huntertown Branch was listed in the Fort Wayne and Allen County
directories for 1939, 1943, and 1955. In 1953, it was listed in the library's
annual report, but was located at Huntertown High School by then, no
longer in its own building. Huntertown Branch closed after 1955.

In 1984, a survey recommended the Pine Valley area or Huntertown
as a branch location. However no action was taken toward attaining this goal
until 1987, when it decided to establish new branches in the Aboite and Pine
Valley areas. [See Dupont Branch.]

Leo Branch

The branch will he opened for use of students and the general public.

"Roosevelt's Letters to His Children," the first book circulated
outside the Fort Wayne city limits by the public library, was loaned from
the Leo deposit station, which opened November 1, 1921, with a collection
of fifty books. Circulation continued to be strong at Leo, with 325 volumes
loaned between its opening and March of 1922.

In fact, business was good enough for the library Board to approve
the establishment of a branch library at Leo School in November 1940. The
Board appropriated $600 to make necessary changes in the room that would
serve as the branch. It was twenty-five by fifty feet large, with shelving,
study tables, a magazine rack, and a card catalog.

Leo Branch opened January 2, 1941, with Loma Mumma as
librarian. Initially, its hours were 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through

189

Friday, with the promise that evening hours would be arranged if the needs
of the community justified them. The branch stocked 3,000 books, including
reference works, fiction, and non-fiction for adults and children.

The Fort Wayne City and Allen County directories in 1943, 1949,
and 1955 included listings for a branch at Leo, and it was named as a
branch or sub-branch in the library's annual report of 1953. However, no
later mention of it has been found.

A 1984 consultants' report recommended closing Harlan and three
other branches in order to open three new ones, in the Aboite and Pine
Valley areas, and one in the Leo-Grabill-Cedarville area. However in 1987
the Board decided to retain all existing branches. Since Harlan remained
open in the northeastern part of the county, the idea for a Leo-Grabill-
Cedarville area branch was discarded.

Little Turtle Branch

The North Side branch ... is to be called Little Turtle for the greatest Indian
of all time.

Little Turtle Branch was known as Northside Branch when it opened
in rental property at 1630 East Wells Street October 20, 1919. With a
beginning collection of 1,434 volumes and Lillian Leasure (later Lillian
Hall) as librarian, it was the second Fort Wayne Public Library branch to
open. By June 1920, its collection had grown to 2,278 volumes, and during
its first eight months of operation, Northside branch circulated 22,087 books
to its 637 cardholders.

In September 1921, Gertrude Barth took Leasure' s place as
librarian. That year, the branch had 3,328 books and circulated them 27,541
times. In January 1922, Marian Mears, former Children's Room supervisor,
became librarian of Northside Branch when Barth transferred to Southside
Branch. The branch remained Northside Branch until 1926, when it became
Little Turtle. Little Turtle had been called the greatest Indian of all time by
his friend, George Washington. Mrs. Dey S. Pavy was librarian at the time
of the name change.

In October 1929, Little Turtle Branch moved to a building on
Huffman Boulevard, where it remained through the early 1970s. The
address has been listed as 1028, 1032, and 1035, probably at least two
different locations. Mary Price was librarian at the time of the move from
Wells Street to Huffman Boulevard. She reported an increase in use of the
branch between the time of the move in October 1929 and 1930. This may
have been because the new location was near three schools.

In 1933 and 1934, during the Depression, the branch closed on
Sundays and Mondays because of economic difficulties. In February 1935,

190

the decision was made to further reduce open hours per week at Little Turtle
and several other branches. Bad economic times usually mean increased
business for libraries as people search for inexpensive methods of educating
and entertaining themselves. This was true at Little Turtle during the
Depression. Circulation increased from 63,908 volumes in 1930 to 89,148
volumes in 1940.

Little Turtle received some improvements in 1956, including new
floor joists and an asphalt tile floor. By 1961, its open hours had been
increased to twenty-seven - 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to
noon Saturday, and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Friday evenings. In 1963,
Mary Price retired and Anna Mae Wakefield became librarian of Little
Turtle Branch. Board of Trustees members in 1966 began discussing the
need to purchase sites for the building of replacement and new branch
libraries some four to five years in the future. Little Turtle was named as
one of two branches that would need first attention when this construction
became possible.

In 1970, a plan called for the relocation of some existing branches
and the construction of new ones. Library officials planned to move the
overcrowded Little Turtle Branch from Huffman Boulevard to the
neighborhood near the intersection of Sherman and West State Boulevards.

In February 1972, the library purchased the Kroger Company
building at 2201 Sherman Boulevard for $168,000. Preliminary plans for
renovation of the building indicated that the cost would be about $250,000.
A subsequent estimate called for an outlay of $293,000, at which point the
Board voted to consider some cutbacks in the remodeling plan. One Board
member had expressed concern over the initial estimate of $250,000, but
Fred Reynolds noted that other branches had cost up to $600,000 in
construction alone. The final okay to convert the former Kroger supermarket
into a branch library came in March 1972. Probable completion date was
slated as January 1, 1973. Kroger and the Fort Wayne Junior Chamber of
Commerce remained in the building until July 1972. In September, the
Board agreed to pay Kroger $8,375 to cancel a lease on the building, and
at the same time cut the renovation budget from $293,000 to $110,000.

Architects Martindale and Associates designed the building that
would be the new home of Little Turtle Branch, and bids were opened in
November 1972 to choose contractors for the remodeling work. The library
awarded a general construction contract to Hawk Construction Company for
$41,840, a contract to Pearson, Inc. for $18,319 for mechanical work, and
one to Dix-Kelly Electric for $8,975 for electrical work. Construction began
immediately following the awarding of the contracts. Little Turtle Branch
opened in its new location May 29, 1973. Funds from the sale of the former
Little Turtle Branch building were spent for a recarpeting project at the
main library, as well as security systems and photocopiers for branch
buildings.

191

In 1982, Anna Mae Wakefield retired as branch manager and
Kathryn Witwer stepped into the job. She remained until 1985, when she
became manager of Georgetown Branch and Susan Hunt was named
manager of Little Turtle. During Witwer's and Hunt's tenures, the branch's
circulation increased dramatically. The increase was partially attributed to
a change in outlook about "marketing" libraries. Following a marketing
survey, the Allen County Public Library began making some changes. At
Little Turtle, this meant taking some cues from bookstores and changing the
looks of the branch. As many book covers as possible were displayed, and
many books were housed in racks instead of on shelves. In addition,
branches began supplying more of what patrons said that they wanted - more
children's picture books, more paperbacks, and fewer biographies.

During the 1980s, the library began offering more than books and
magazines for the public to borrow. Records, jigsaw puzzles, audiocassettes,
and paperback books were added to the collection. Programming became
more extensive and included book reviews, participation in the children's
Summer Reading Program, bibliographic instruction, art classes, and more.

Little Turtle Branch underwent remodeling in 1990. It closed in
January and reopened in May. Main library Readers' Services staff noted
that during the time several branches were closed for remodeling. Little
Turtle patrons were most visible in the largest numbers at the main library.
The renovated building included a large public meeting room, a small
computer room and study room, work space for library staff, and remodeled
adults' and children's areas. Susan Hunt resigned as Little Turtle Branch
manager to head the newly-constructed Aboite Branch in 1990, and Rosie
Desmonds Stier was hired as Little Turtle Branch manager in the spring of
that year.

Programs during the early 1990s at Little Turtle Branch have
included an introduction to genealogy lecture, preschool and schoolage
crafts, story hours, a book review series, a basketweaving class, a lecture
by a dietitian, puppet shows, craft workshops for teachers, a program for
parents on good reading materials for children, paperback book sales,
holiday crafts for children, a visit from Ronald McDonald, and a calligraphy
program for young adults, among other activities.

Today the branch remains near the comer of Sherman and State
Boulevards. It has a large collection of adults' and children's hardback and
paperback books, records, tapes, and magazines, as well as computers for
patron use. The collection numbers more than 45,000 volumes. Included in
these are board books for infants, books for young adults, fiction and non-
fiction, picture books, easy readers, bestsellers in multiple copies, popular
fiction, classics, reference books, and large-print books. Little Turtle also
has records, cassettes, audio compact disks, videotapes. Books on Tape,
book/cassette kits for children, newspapers, and vertical files, and
educational computer games. Regular activities include story hours,

192

children's crafts, adult programs, and weekly bedtime story hours.

Little Turtle Branch serves the students of eight elementary schools
and one high school within a three-mile radius. Classes from the schools
visit the branch for tours and other activities. Numerous preschool and
daycare programs also utilize this branch. A young adult area was created
in 1992.

Maumee Branch

The new library branch will serve a wide territory.

In December 1936, the library purchased the building at the comer
of Maumee Avenue and University Street that formerly had been occupied
by the East Side State Bank, followed by Meyer's Interior Furnishers. This
building was earmarked to be fashioned into a branch to be opened the
following spring. Library Board members hoped it would meet the needs of
the students of Concordia College, Harmar, McCulloch, and Adams
Schools, as well as several Catholic and Lutheran schools. The building,

which was purchased
from Lincoln National
Bank & Trust
Company, was
particularly adaptable
to library purposes,
officials felt. Maumee
Branch opened April
23, 1937, at 1201
Maumee Avenue, with
a rush of borrowers
on opening day. Ruth
Foelber, later Ruth
Foelber Sauerteig, was the branch's first librarian, with Muriel J. Norton
as her assistant.

In June 1945, James Thomas Broderick was appointed head
librarian of Maumee Branch. He was followed by Josephine Marie
Thompson. Maumee Branch remained viable in 1953, and received
improvements in 1956, including the installation of new lights, repairs to
movable windows, redecoration of the reading room, the installation of oil-
burning equipment, new basement windows and paint, a new sidewalk, and
a refrigerator. Rosie Parrish managed Maumee Branch from 1953 through
1956. Alice Wilson Ryan was her successor.

The branch disappeared from city directories in 1959. It apparently
closed at that time or shortly after.

Maumee Branch opened in 1937 and closed
probably before 1960.

193

Monroeville Branch

The demand at Monroeville has been greater than in any other branch.

The community of Mom-oeville had a public library of sorts before
the establishment of a branch library by the Public Library of Fort Wayne
and Allen County in 1921. In 1885, the Monroeville Public School Library
was established in the Monroeville High School building. Citizens of the
town and the Twentieth Century Club donated books, and some were
purchased with funds raised by programs held locally. In 1905, the
Monroeville School Board turned the library over to the Twentieth Century
Club, whose members cataloged books and acted as librarians. This library
was open Monday through Saturday.

A branch of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
opened November 19, 1921, in an upper room of the Village Hall that was
provided rent-free by the Town Board. Reading tables and chairs were
donated by the community, and the Manual Department of the Monroeville
High School built the shelving for the room. This was the second of the
county branches established after the extension of library services beyond
the Fort Wayne city limits. The Monroeville Branch, like other county
branches, had an initial deposit of books according to the size of the
community, a reading room with current periodicals, reference books, and
a paid librarian. It was open three hours each day, alternating between
afternoons and evenings. Monroeville' s initial deposit of books numbered
250, and its first branch librarian was Zelma Culp.

Monroeville circulated 218 books in its first six days of existence.
Four hundred fifty-six people - about half of the community's population -
registered for library cards in that time period. When the first circulation
report was made on December 3, 1921, 327 books had circulated from
Monroeville Branch. In December alone, the branch circulated 657 books,
including 356 volumes of fiction, twenty-four of non-fiction, and 277
juvenile books. It was announced in December that the new county branches
were being used to the advantage of the people in their communities. "The
demand at Monroeville has been greater than in any other branch . . . New
registration blanks are being received from the farmers living near
Monroeville and it is evident that great interest is being taken in the
branch. "26

Business continued to grow in Monroeville. In January, circulation
reached 745 volumes. Men and older boys were the community's greatest

2^"Many Use County Branches," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Dec. 20,
1921.

194

library users.

Early in the 1920s, Monroeville Branch closed for remodeling. A
partition was built across the north end of the room. The walls, ceiling, and
woodwork were repainted, and new lights and floor covering were installed.
The branch also installed a new stove and a hand rail on the stairs to make
reaching the branch easier for those who had trouble climbing the stairs.
These improvements, plus new tables and chairs, helped the branch's
appearance and the addition of the floor covering reduced noise. In April
1922, Monroeville Branch was open 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and
Saturday, and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

From the beginning, the Monroeville community supported its
branch. In December 1921, the Monroeville Dramatic Club presented a
three-act comedy titled "The Runaways" as a benefit for the library. Charles
Swank directed the event. Early in the same decade, the women of
Monroeville hosted a "tag sale" to benefit library and raised $60.38. Swank
gave a recital of readings and impersonations as a benefit for the
Monroeville Branch library in February 1922. Ethel Krick, who later
became Monroeville Branch librarian, played piano at this event, which took
place in the high school auditorium. Swank had appeared in recitals with
Orville Harold and Madam Carol of opera fame, and had a contract for the
following season with the Redpath Lyceum and Chautauqua Bureau.

In June 1927,
the citizens of
Monroeville presented
a sixty- by eighty-foot
lot to the library
Board as a site for the
building of a
permanent branch
library. Before the
branch was
constructed, Margaret
Colerick and the head
of the County
Department, Margaret

Winning, visited other branches in the library system to determine strengths
and weaknesses. For example, since other buildings had leaky basements,
Monroeville Branch was constructed with a waterproof foundation.
Improvements were made on the roof, windows, doors, and thresholds.
Leighton Bowers of Fort Wayne was architect of the forty- by thirty-three
and a half-foot one-story building, which cost between $8,000 and $10,000.
It was constructed of concrete, steel, and brick, and had an exterior of red
Belden brick and Indiana limestone. Two white metal columns flanked a
three-step cement porch, and a wrought iron raining enclosed the porch

Monroeville Branch exterior, 1928.

195

roof.

Inside, the main reading room was forty by twenty-five feet, large
enough to seat twenty-four people, and was divided into two sections, a
children's area and an adult area. The main floor also included the
librarian's office. Four ceiling lights had frosted globes. The floor was
covered with Jaspe linoleum. On either side of the entrance to the building
were sloping magazine shelves built into the wall. Interior woodwork was
finished with red oak. The basement of the building had three rooms, a
work room, a coal room, and a furnace room. The branch was heated with
a Higgle Simplex boiler.

The new Monroeville Branch opened to the public September 21,
1928. Several hundred people visited the new building during the day, and
dedication exercises took place that evening with about five hundred people
in attendance. Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Branch
Librarian Zelma Gulp; Reverend O.I. Uncapher of the United Brethren
Church; Robert Murphy, Chairman of the County Library Committee; Head
Librarian Margaret Colerick; J.J. Peters of Monroeville; and E.V. Minnear,
Principal of the Monroeville School.

In 1936, Works Progress Administration labor was used to make
repairs on Monroeville Branch library's roof. Reduced open hours for the
summer of 1936 were 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 6
to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. During the 1930s and 1940s,
Monroeville Branch began an outreach program with area high school
teachers. Branch personnel provided library instruction to students in grades
seven through nine and created reading lists.

In 1934 or 1935, Zelma Culp retired and Ethel Krick became
librarian of Monroeville Branch. Krick remained in the position until the
mid-1950s, when she retired and Frances Meese became branch librarian.
Meese resigned in 1957 and Ethel Elliott became librarian of Monroeville
Branch. Elliott was a strong supporter of the library's Summer Reading
Program and arranged parades through the town of Monroeville to draw
attention to the event. She remained librarian until 1986, when she resigned
and Eugenia Wahl took over the position. Wahl's appointment was notable
because she was the first non-Monroeville resident to head the branch, as
well as the first Monroeville Branch librarian with a college degree and
professional library training. Wahl left Monroeville Branch to become
manager of Woodbum Branch in 1990, and Bonita Nicklaus, the current
Monroeville Branch manager, was appointed to the position at that time.
Christine Lussier and Scott Mertz filled in as acting managers of
Monroeville Branch.

Monroeville residents have remained avid library users throughout
the tenures of all of these librarians. In 1953, library services were in such
demand in Monroeville to warrant a public library sub-branch at
Monroeville High School. In 1980, the library Board approved expenditures

196

for increasing hours, hiring additional staff, improving book collections, and
repairing buildings at Monroeville, New Haven, Harlan, and Woodburn
Branches. In 1983, Roy Hosfield, a member of the Monroeville
Redevelopment Commission, asked the library Board to consider increasing
space at the library branch.

In 1989, the branch underwent a major remodeling project. It closed
in October and reopened by December 1 . Monroeville Branch had a joint
open house with the new Monroeville fire station in March 1990 to show off
its new look. In August 1991, a new circulation desk was installed to utilize
the branch's limited space more effectively.

Activities at Monroeville Branch during the 1980s and 1990s have
included a display of novels by former Monroeville resident Lloyd Douglas,
a woodcarving demonstration, the initiation of a youth volunteer program,
Christmas vacation activities, 4-H learn-about series, an adult country craft
workshop, children's autumn tablecraft, weekly preschool story hours, a
home landscaping lecture, a St. Patrick's Day craft, a Week of the Young
Child display, a table focusing on health information, zoo visits, spring
break activities, Children's Book Week activities. Pilgrim craft, and a
calligraphy workshop for young adults.

The collection at Monroeville includes adults' and children's
hardback and paperback books, records, audiocassette tapes, computers,
board books for infants, young adult books, fiction, and nonfiction,
bestsellers, popular fiction, classics, a small reference collection,
book/cassette kits for children, audio compact disks, magazines, and
educational computer games. Goals for the branch's future, according to
Nicklaus, include a larger building, acquiring a fulltime young adult and
children's specialist, expanding programing and outreach in the Hoagland
community, and serving as a connection for the Monroeville-Hoagland
service areas to the computer network.

New Haven Branch

New Haven people may well feel that they are well provided with books and
book service.

New Haven's public library branch opened December 13, 1921, in
a room in the Town Hall that was provided rent-free by the New Haven
Town Board or City Council. The New Haven Chamber of Commerce or
Commercial Club appropriated $75 with which to furnish the room.
Shelving for the facility was built by members of the manual training
department of the local high school. The branch began with between five
hundred and six hundred books and was to receive ten to twenty-five
additional volumes per month until a collection of 1,200 volumes was in

197

existence. It also had a reading room with current periodicals and reference

books, and was under the supervision of Mrs. Harold E. Lepper as

librarian. New Haven Branch initially was open three hours daily, from 2

to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on alternate days.

Prior to the branch library's opening, a large deposit collection had

been in existence in New Haven, but was so popular that it was not

extensive enough to meet patron demands. A branch library had been

considered for some time before its actual opening in December 1921, but

was postponed due to a delay in finding a suitable room to house the

facility.

Shortly after opening. New Haven Branch received 133 additional

volumes so that "the shelves, which have been sadly empty for several

weeks, are beginning again to look like a public library. "^^ The books were

mostly fiction, but also included travel, history, and juvenile books. County

Librarian Corinne Metz urged people of New Haven to send in requests for

books they would like to read, for "only in that way can a real Branch

Library be built up here in New Haven. "^*

In January 1922, New Haven Branch circulated 1,132 volumes,

more than any of the other four new county branches. More than fifty

percent of the books were loaned to children younger than fourteen. New

Haven had the largest of the county branches at this time.

In March 1925, the library Board awarded a contract to Elmer Zeis

for construction of an English-style stucco, brick, and tile library building.

Pohlmeyer and Pohlmeyer drew the plans. The citizens of New Haven

purchased the branch

site at Main and Emily

Streets through

popular subscription.

October 1, 1925, the

new branch building

opened to the public

with an open house.

An evening program

followed a reception

and featured Reverend

Louis N. Rocca of

Trinity Episcopal

XT Tj » u inio Church, as speaker.

New Haven Branch, 1928.

^''"New Books Arrive for Branch Library," Fort Wayne newspaper,
circa 1921.

2%id.

198

Rocca's topic was "The Community and the Library." New Haven's was the
third separate county branch building to be erected, and cost $15,000.
Kathryn Lx)se was branch librarian at the time of the new building's
opening. She was a 1925 graduate of Dennison University, where she took
a course in library work.

Despite a reduction in hours because of the Depression, New Haven
Branch circulation reached 25,093 in 1933. In 1933 and 1934, the branch
was open for six hours on each of two days. With the closing of school in
May 1935, New Haven Branch's open hours were to be 1 to 5 p.m. and 6
to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Friday. By then, Elizabeth "Betty" Smith was
librarian. Beginning in the fall of 1935, the branch again began opening
Monday through Saturday.

From November 1934 to November 1935, New Haven Branch
experienced one of the smallest circulation gains among county branches
then in existence. The branch was closed for a time in 1936 for repairs and
redecorating that were accomplished through Works Progress Administration
labor. It reopened in June. The summer of 1936 saw fewer open summer
hours for New Haven Branch. The branch was open 2 to 5 p.m. Monday
and Thursday, and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Former staff member Kenneth Lauer described the New Haven
Branch of 1953 in his pre-retirement memories published in the staff
newsletter: "I don't believe the branch had a phone, certainly no copying
machine or electric typewriter, but it was remarkable for the taste of sulfur-
laden water. "^ In that same year, the public library also had a sub-branch
at New Haven High School.

New Haven Branch and its surroundings have undergone various
refurbishing projects over the years:

• In 1956, improvements included the repainting of outside walls
and renovation of the basement.

• A decade later, in 1966, the library Board approved participation
in New Haven's proposal to pave Ann Street, on which the library branch
was located. Curbs and gutters also were installed on branch property at a
total cost of $420.

• In 1974, the Board considered funeral home owner Harold
Harper's request that the area adjacent to his facility and the library be
blacktopped for parking on a first come, first-served basis.

• In 1979, the combined city-county library budget included about
$100,000 for the renovation of the New Haven and Harlan Branch library
buildings.

• In January of the following year, possibly as to carry out the
same project, the Board approved the expenditure of $40,000 to upgrade

^Lauer, "Retirement Brings Reminiscence.

199

Harlan, Monroeville, New Haven, and Woodburn Branches and Pontiac
Reading Room. This included an increase in hours, the hiring of additional
staff, improvement of book collections, and repair of buildings.

• In 1986, the library dipped into the Reserve Fund for repairs,
including $8,340 to repair the sewer system at New Haven Branch.

• In 1989, New Haven Branch underwent a remodeling project at
the same time as the rest of the system's branches. A major addition
doubled the size of the building. The branch closed September 15 at its
regular location and reopened September 25 at New Haven Middle School,
a temporary location during the remodeling. New Haven Branch experienced
only a sixteen percent decrease in circulation in October 1989 as compared
with October 1988, despite being in a temporary location and open fewer
hours. New Haven Branch reopened in its remodeled building in May 1990.
In the fall of 1992, the Allen County Public Library received an Archie
Award from ARCH, Inc., for the sympathetic addition to the New Haven
Branch , meaning that the old and new parts of the building blended well
architecturally.

Susan Hunt managed New Haven Branch in 1982. Rita Wissman
also was manager at one time. Sherry Mrozowski managed New Haven
Branch at the time of its remodeling in 1989-1990. She left the library
system in 1990-1991 . Linda Jeffrey, New Haven Branch's current manager,
was hired in March 1991. Jeffrey came to Fort Wayne from the Hartford
City Public Library in Hartford City, Indiana.

Events at New Haven Branch during the 1980s and 1990s have
included a magic show, homework help, recycling week, a weekly preschool
story hour, a Halloween party, Children's Book Week activities, bedtime
story hours, Christmas crafts and holiday gift ideas, a nutrition lecture, zoo
visits, tax help, spring gardening tips, participation in Canal Days and New
Haven's 125th birthday celebration, paperback book sales, election day
activities, National Sandwich Day celebration, comhusk crafts, and a poison
and trauma prevention program.

New Haven Branch contains a collection of more than 15,000
books, including bestsellers, romances, mysteries, westerns, science fiction,
and historical fiction. Nonfiction titles encompass the areas of religion,
health, cooking, history, and biography. The collection also includes a
number of large-print books, board books for infants, a basic reference
collection, magazines, newspapers, a pamphlet file, book/cassette kits for
children, computers, and educational computer games.

200

Pontiac Branch

Named for the Indian Chief, Pontiac is one of the oldest branches in the
Allen County Public Library system.

In February 1922, several hundred residents of the east side of Fort
Wayne signed a petition asking for a public library branch in their area.
Weisser Park Community Association President Herman Gerdom said that
the petition would be presented to the next meeting of the city library Board,
by which time a room in a building on Pontiac Street that currently was
under construction would be available for use by the library system. The
library administration was well aware of the need for a branch in the area,
and wanted to oblige. "During the coming year the library hopes to establish
another branch in the southeast part of the city to serve the rapidly growing
population of that section and to satisfy a real desire on the part of the
people of that neighborhood for a branch library of their own."^

October 17, 1922, the branch later named Pontiac Branch was
established in rented quarters in the Menefee building at 1023 East Pontiac
Street. Marian Mears became librarian in January 1923. In 1926, the branch
at 1023 East Pontiac Street was named for the Indian chief Pontiac, not for
the street on which it was located. Ruth F. Stevens was branch librarian at

Pontiac Branch, 1922.

^"Getting Acquainted with Your Library: The Branches, Present and
Prospective," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Apr. 15, 1922.

201

that time and through 1928.

In 1927, Pontiac Branch registrations totaled 4,058, and circulation
reached 6,073. In 1935, during the Depression, most city branches' hours
were reduced. Pontiac closed for redecorating, accomplished with Works
Progress Administration labor, in June 1936. Despite the slight reduction in
hours and the period the branch was closed for remodeling, it recorded
1,584 registrants in 1936-1937, the most of any of the five city branches.
Vera Lambrook was Pontiac Branch librarian during the mid- 1930s.

The facility was located on Pontiac Street through 1973. However,
as early as 1966, the library administration was looking into relocating the
branch, due at least in part to crowded conditions. At a Board of Trustees
meeting in September, members agreed that new sites for branches needed
to be considered, even though building would not be advisable for at least
four or five years. The situations of Pontiac and Little Turtle were named
as most crucial. One site that was inspected to replace Pontiac Branch was
at Rudisill Boulevard and Euclid Avenue, which had nine public and
parochial schools within a one-mile radius. Another site considered was on
Fairfax Avenue between Werling and Cascade Drives. A City Plan
Commission committee rejected this location, deciding that access to the
building would be difficult, and that traffic problems already existed in the
area.

In March 1968, the Fort Wayne Council on Human Relations voted
to investigate rumors that Pontiac Branch was to be eliminated and replaced
by a suburban branch. The Council's investigation focused on the
ramifications of not having a library branch in the central city. Whether the
rumors had basis in fact, and if so, whether the Council's investigation was
responsible for the library's decision to keep Pontiac Branch downtown, is
not known. In 1970, experts were hired to study the library's branch
system. Existing branches were slated for relocation and new branches were
planned. Pontiac Branch remained in its Pontiac Street location during the
"branch boom."

However, because it had outgrown its facilities, Pontiac was slated
for relocation a few years later. In April 1972, the library system purchased
the old Macedonian Hall at 3304 Warsaw Street for $32,350. Built in 1950,
the structure was fairly modem and lent itself to remodeling. Reports said
it was entirely satisfactory for a branch facility. The new building would
give Pontiac Branch four times the floor space it had in its first location.
Plenty of parking also was available, always a consideration for libraries.
In May, the architecture firm of Grinsfelder-McArdle Associates, Inc., was
chosen to design plans for remodeling Macedonian Hall. Remodeling costs
were estimated at $36,505, including $10,727 for air conditioning and $600
for a book drop. The library Board also gave permission for the purchase
of some property west of the hall for parking. The architects presented plans
for two additional phases of remodeling which might be considered for the

202

new Pontiac Branch following completion of "critical Phase 1;" however
Charles Slater, library Board member, expressed his opinion that Phase 1
would be sufficient.

In June 1972, the Board discussed proposed open hours for branches
being constructed, remodeled, and relocated. Tentative hours were to be 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. two days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. three days a week, and
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, except during the summer, when branches'
Saturday schedules would change to 9 a.m. to noon. Pontiac Branch opened
in its new location on Warsaw Street in 1973. Mary Jane Wood was
librarian at Pontiac Branch from 1966 through at least 1976.

Pontiac remained a branch until the late 1970s, when it was
downgraded to a reading room partly in response to a number of crimes that
took place there. In June 1974, the branch's toilets were closed to the public
because of vandalism. In December 1976, a "young thug" grabbed a forty-
eight-year-old Pontiac Branch librarian and threatened to rape her. He
dragged her to the desk where her purse was. When she attempted to spray
him with mace, he grabbed it and sprayed it in her face. Although she was
not seriously injured, she did receive a chemical bum from the mace and
refused to go back to work at the branch. The other Pontiac librarian had
experienced a purse snatching, and a neighborhood resident was mugged,
all in a fairly brief time period. These attacks forced the Board to face a
decision: increase the number of staff members at the branch so no one had
to work alone, or close the branch entirely. The compromise was to increase
the hours of the male employee who worked part time doing odd jobs, so
that the remaining female librarian would not be at the branch alone, and to
downgrade the branch to a reading room. This meant that it was open only
forty hours per week and, although under the supervision of a professional
librarian, was not fully staffed by professionals. Library Board President
Charles Slater noted at the time that if attacks continued, the reading room
would be deemed too dangerous for employees and would be closed.

Pontiac never closed. It remained a reading room until April 1980,
when it was renamed a branch because of increased activity there and the
hiring of a professional librarian to its staff. Shortly before this
redesignation, the Board approved the expenditure of $40,000 to upgrade
four of the system's county branches and the Pontiac Reading Room. In
June 1981, hours at Pontiac Branch were increased to 11:30 a.m. to 8:30
p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon and 8 a.m. to
5 p.m. Fridays.

In 1985, Pontiac Branch was the only facility of the Allen County
Public Library to experience decreased circulation figures. However, this
statistic did not reflect the popularity and amount of activity occurring at the
branch. By that time located in a predominantly African- American
neighborhood, Pontiac Branch was being marketed to patrons as a place, not
just to check out books on the fly, but visit for educational programs, craft

203

sessions, to do homework, and simply to "hang out." An average of fifty
people, many of them children, used the library each day. Despite the drop
in circulation figures, the number of reference questions answered by the
staff had increased by twenty-five percent over the previous year, and
attendance at branch programs was comparable to that of Little Turtle,
Waynedale, and Shawnee - much larger branches with more open hours and
larger staffs.

In 1986, the library established an Adult Literacy Program with
Pontiac Branch as its headquarters. That year, a leak was repaired in one of
the branch's walls at a cost of $6,500, as the library Board approved
dipping into the Reserve Fund for miscellaneous repairs throughout the
system. In 1989, Pontiac Branch underwent remodeling at the same time as
other buildings within the library system. The branch remained open during
the work, although a great deal of shifting was done to allow library
services to stay out of the way of the contractor.

Since its reestablishment as a branch library, Pontiac has continued
to thrive and its activities to increase. A newspaper article in the early 1980s
noted that the branch was not stereotypically quiet. It had story hours,
small-sized, colorful furniture for children, and music. In 1981, 150
children attended a costume party at the branch. Also in that year. Manager
Randal D. Gillen and his assistant, Condra Payne Ridley, closed the branch
one Tuesday per month to visit children in local hospitals with guitar,
books, and other items.

Pontiac Branch meets the needs of its community with specialized
programming and an extensive collection of black history materials. Black
History Month programming in 1989 included African and black American
folktales; storytelling by the branch manager, garbed in traditional African
dress; and evening programs on African- American inventors and
trailblazers. In October of 1989, an African- American history program and
reception to recognize the importance of Pontiac Branch in the community
drew fifty-five people. The occasion was the branch's sixty-seventh
anniversary. Activities during the 1990s have included a sixty-eighth
anniversary open house, preschool story hours and after school Power Hour
activities, zoo visits, a Back to Books parade, a Juneteenth Day celebration,
and tax help. Annual Kwanzaa activities also take place at Pontiac Branch.
Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural celebration and branch activities
include music, crafts, dancing, poetry, and stories.

Pontiac's collection includes more than 20,000 adult, juvenile, and
reference books. Among these are fiction, non-fiction, bestsellers, and
paperbacks. There also are current magazines, local and national
newspapers, large print books, picture books, beginning readers, fairy tales,
national award-winning books, paperbacks for young adults, non-fiction
books on various subjects for study, and Fort Wayne city directories. The
branch has computers, computer teaching games, programs for children,

204

story hours for preschool children, crafts, movies, and contests. Pontiac also
features educational and cultural programs during Black History Month and
Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. Randal Gillen was manager of the
branch until 1983.

Condra Payne Ridley is the branch's current manager. One of her
goals has been to make Pontiac Branch "more than a babysitting place, "^'
she said in 1989. Instead, she hoped to create a business and learning center
of the branch.

Richardville Branch

The place is one of the most attractive reading rooms in the city.

On November 4, 1926, the newest of the branches of the Public
Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County opened in the Oviatt Building at
2703 Broadway. It was the first to open since Margaret Colerick's decision
to name branches after Native American tribes and chiefs. This new facility
was christened Richardville Branch for the son-in-law of Indian Chief Little
Turtle, who exerted his influence with both Native Americans and whites for
the cause of peace. It also was so-named because of its nearness to the
Richardville land tract south of Fort Wayne.

More than three hundred people attended when the branch held an
open house for neighborhood residents on November 4. No books were put
into circulation that day, but about 2,000 children's books were on the
shelves of the new branch, as well as a good selection of adult materials.
For the open house, the branch was attractively decorated with fairy tale
posters on yellow backings and winter decorations of pods and flowers, the
newspaper reported. The branch's fiimiture was of dark golden oak. Other
branches sent flowers for the opening, as did the "Misses Oviatt," no doubt
members of the family for whom the building was named. Martha Bracken
Kimball was Richardville Branch librarian at its opening.

In 1927, Richardville' s circulation numbered 2,238 volumes. More
than 1 ,100 people were registered for library cards at the branch. During the
Depression, open hours were reduced at several branches, including
Richardville. Juanita Bushman was librarian by 1935. Martha Bracken
Kimball, Richardville' s first librarian, had died in 1932.

As early as December 1935, library trustees were considering
relocating Richardville Branch because the building had become crowded
and no room existed for additional shelving. Also, Fort Wayne had

^'"67th Anniversary Brings Praise for Pontiac Library," Frost
Illustrated, Oct. 25-31. 1989.

205

expanded southward and no branch facilities were available in the area south
of Rudisill Boulevard. Library Board members believed the people of the
current Richardville Branch area could be served by additional bookwagon
routes, deposits at area schools, and by the main library downtown if the
branch was moved south. In January 1936, the Board made arrangements
to lease a twenty-six- by one hundred-foot building on South Wayne
Avenue, close to Harrison Hill School and St. John the Baptist School, as
well as South Side High School. Another cited advantage of the location was
the environment of the surrounding business neighborhood.

Before the branch's move to the South Wayne Avenue address
(noted in sources variously as 4007, 4009, and 4011), borrowing was
curtailed so that the books in the small collection could be repaired.
Richardville had the smallest book stock of all library branches, and the
smallest circulation as well. Several hundred new books were purchased
before the move, and the branch opened in its new location February 1,
1936 with "a small but clean and usable stock. "^^

During its first month on South Wayne, the Richardville Branch
nearly doubled its circulation over February 1935. While fewer than 3,000
books circulated in February 1935, 5,415 circulated in February 1936. It
was described as so popular with its new neighbors that although more than
1,000 new volumes had been added, its shelves were nearly bare all of the
time. Juanita Bushman was librarian of the branch at this time.

Just two years later, in 1937, Richardville Branch ceased to exist
when the Shawnee Branch was closed at its South Calhoun location, and the
branch at 4011 South Wayne Avenue was renamed Shawnee Branch.

Shawnee (Southside) Branch

From the first [it] has been a busy and popular spot for both the children
and grown-ups of the neighborhood.

Southside Branch was the first branch established by the Fort
Wayne Public Library. It opened March 7, 1912, in the north room of the
Schwartz building at 2520 South Calhoun Street, a storefront between
Suttenfield Street and Woodland Avenue. Estella C. Stringer was the
temporary librarian, and was succeeded in July 1912 by Ada McCormick.
McCormick transferred back to the main library a few months later and
Isabel DuBois became librarian of the Southside Branch. The branch was
open from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

^^Rex M. Potterf, "Open Library Branch Feb. 1," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Jan. 29, 1936.

206

Southside Branch
was appreciated by people
in the neighborhood. In
July 1912, the opening of
the branch was described
as one of the most popular
moves ever made in local
library history circles, and
another early piece about
the branch noted that
"from the first [it] has
been a busy and popular
spot for both the children
and grown-ups of the
neighborhood."" During
the first five months it was
open, Southside branch
circulated 22,000 volumes
to people living on the
"yon side of the
tracks."^ A total of
35,122 books were
circulated to the branch's
eight hundred cardholders
during 1912.

In 1914, Southside
Branch experienced

another change in librarians when Ella Wilding succeeded DuBois. She
resigned in December 1921 , after having "done splendid work at the branch
library,"^' and Gertrude Barth became librarian. By this time, Northside
Branch had been established and Barth had been librarian there prior to
moving to Southside Branch. Erdean McCloud became the next librarian of
Southside Branch, a position she gave up when she was appointed head of
the High School branch in 1924. She was followed in the Southside position
by Adele Warner.

In 1926, Margaret Colerick planned to rename Southside Branch

Southside Branch
children, 1917.

was popular with

"Williams, "Many Additions Made to Library Here Since 1907."

^"This Is a Popular Place," unidentified newspaper, July 1912.

^^" South Side Librarian Files Resignation," Fort Wayne Nev^s Sentinel,
Dec. 31, 1931.

207

Miami Branch "in memory of the great tribe which was the power of the
middle west. "^^ Why the name was shortly changed to Shawnee Branch is
unknown. Perhaps Miami was too similar to Maumee, the name of another
branch in existence at that time.

In 1928, Mava M. Wadsworth was Southside Branch librarian, and
Anne Trittripoe filled the position in 1930. Carrie S. Shoup was head
librarian of Shawnee Branch at least from 1931 through 1935. In 1935,
branch hours at Shawnee Branch were reduced from twenty-six per week to
twenty-four. At some point, the branch was moved from 2520 South
Calhoun to 2903 South Calhoun. In 1937, Richard ville branch at 401 1 South
Wayne Avenue was discontinued and the branch at that address became
Shawnee Branch. From 1937 to 1973, Shawnee Branch had its home on
South Wayne Avenue.

In 1970, library officials made plans to expand branch service by
building or relocating five branches. Shawnee Branch, whose number of
registered borrowers had reached 1 10,000, was one that was slated to be
moved. In September 1971, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of
about one acre of land at Calhoun Street and Doan Drive from the Catholic
Diocese of Fort Wayne and South Bend for $35,000. The location was
considered excellent because of its proximity to Bishop Luers High School,
South Calhoun School, and Ben Geyer Junior High School. Several other
schools also were a mile or so away, including Saint John the Baptist,
Harrison Hill Elementary, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Hillcrest Elementary.

Preliminary design plans for the new branch called for an H-shaped
parallelogram which would sit five feet below ground level and have an
open, flexible feel. It would be bounded by Calhoun Street, Noll Avenue,
and Doan Drive. Included in the plans were a multi-purpose area, adult and
young adult reading rooms, a children's reading area, staff work areas, a
typing room and maintenance areas. The new branch would hold 65,000
volumes. Finalization of the land purchase came in late April 1972, and the
contractor's and architect's bids were approved in May. Jankowski-Schulz
designed the branch and the general construction contractor was Michael
Kinder & Sons.

December 3, 1973, Shawnee Branch opened at its new location,
with Kenneth Lauer as manager. He replaced Josephine Marie Thompson,
who had been branch librarian since 1955.

Activities during the 1980s at Shawnee Branch included a children's
film series shown in 1982 for National Library Week, a Monopoly
tournament the same year for children who were spending spring break in
Fort Wayne, and an author visit in 1983 from Betsy Byars. Beginning in
1983, it was one of two branches (Georgetown was the other) that remained

^Roberts, "Picturesque Indian Names.'

208

open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, a time when all other branches were
closed.

Shawnee faced possible closure in the mid-1980s, when a
consultants' report recommended eliminating it and three other branches;
however, no action was taken on the recommendation. The branch closed
in mid-September 1989 for remodeling as part of a system-wide refurbishing
project. It reopened November 14, 1989.

Activities during the 1990s have included cardiac nutrition lectures,
a St. Patrick's Day party, another Monopoly tournament, zoo visits, tax
help, cookie house workshops for Christmas, and a pinata party. The Calico
Cut-Ups quilt club meets monthly at Shawnee, and hosts a popular biennial
quilt show.

Lauer retired in April 1993. The branch's current manager is
Connie Freeman. Shawnee has more than 40,000 books encompassing the
interests of all ages in hardbound and paperback formats, fiction and non-
fiction, bestsellers and classics. Magazines, newspapers, records,
audiocassettes, and pamphlets also are included in Shawnee's collection of
materials. The cassette collection includes old-time radio shows, foreign
language instruction, and documentary historical material. Other features
of the branch include book/cassette kits for children, computers and
educational computer games, story hours, and occasional bedtime story
hours. Special tours and programs for other age groups can be arranged.
There are programs for children during school breaks and holidays, lectures
for adults on special interest topics, displays, reference assistance, tax help,
and a meeting room for public use.

The current goals of Shawnee Branch are maintaining a branch
facility that is inviting, comfortable, and accessible to patrons and staff;
fulfilling the needs of lifelong learners; providing popular materials in
varying formats; and identifying, securing, and supporting suitable and
adequate staff through hiring and training.

Tecumseh Branch

This branch was built in response to a petition signed by several hundred tax
payers in that community and evidently is answering their book needs.

January 19, 1927, Tecumseh Branch opened at 1314 East State
Boulevard between California and Alabama Avenues. It was the first city
branch library that opened in a building constructed especially for library
purposes; all others had been established in remodeled quarters. The library
signed a ten-year lease on the building from the builder, with an option of
buying it at the end of that time. Margaret Colerick had advocated the
establishment of a branch library in the East State Boulevard area for some

209

time, and several hundred residents had signed a petition requesting library
services, but not until mid- 1926 were steps taken to make the branch a
reality.

The one-story brick building measured fifty by sixty feet. Columbia
Hardware Company fiimished the plate, tapestry, window glass, and copper
store front for the building. Pfeiffer Hardware furnished hardware and V. A.
Stapleton provided wiring and fixtures for the branch building. Inside were
two rooms separated by an archway, where the circulation desk was located.
The walls were buff-colored and the building had walnut furniture and
woodwork. The adults' room had a small niche to be used as a reference
area, with Windsor chairs and a small floor lamp. On one side of the adults'
room were magazine and newspaper racks. The children's room had books
for all ages. The branch was called Tecumseh in memory of the chief
"famed for his sagacity and military genius in leading the Indian tribes of
the Middle West in a great conspiracy, which was aimed to restore the lost
Indian supremacy. "^^

Lillian Leasure Hall was the first librarian at Tecumseh Branch,
which contained about 1 ,500 juvenile and 1,000 adult books at its opening.
Circulation for Tecumseh Branch's first eleven months of existence totaled
2,376, and registrations numbered 1,226. In May 1928, six leading Mexican
librarians who were touring the United States visited the innovative
Tecumseh Branch building.

Tecumseh 's existence was threatened during the Depression. In
1933, library officials feared that it would have to be closed because of
financial restrictions. However, the Board decided to reduce hours and open
the branch only two days each week, instead of closing it. In 1935, four
other city branches each reduced its open hours per week from twenty-six
to twenty-four to allow Tecumseh Branch to increase its hours from sixteen
per week to twenty-four per week. Board members decided that since
Tecumseh had the highest rent and its lease still had more than a year to
run, patrons in the area may as well benefit from more open hours. Branch
work at the five city branches at the time was divided between three fulltime
librarians and one part time librarian.

In January 1936, at the expiration of the first ten-year lease on the
Tecumseh Branch building, the Board decided to renew the lease for an
additional ten years at $70 per month. Erdean McCloud resigned in
February 1936 after acting as Tecumseh Branch librarian for one year.
Because of the Depression-tight library budget, she was not immediately
replaced. Instead, employees of the main library operated the branch
temporarily. In late spring and early summer of that year. Works Progress
Administration labor was used for repairs and redecorating at the branch.

%id.

210

Tecumseh was the first of the branches to be opened again on every
weekday afternoon and evening. This occurred in January 1938 and was part
of a plan to increase service at the branches and avoid building an addition
to the main library building downtown.

In June 1945, the Board approved extension of the lease on the
Tecumseh Branch building for two more years with a three-year renewal
clause. Sometime in the late 1940s or after, Tecumseh Branch moved across
the street and down a block, from 1314 to 1411 East State Boulevard. From
1959 through 1961, Suzie Ruble Birch was Tecumseh Branch librarian. She
was followed by Frances Earlene Shoemaker, who served from 1961 until
her death in 1979.

At a meeting in September 1967, the Board discussed the need to
relocate branch libraries within the following five to seven years to mirror
the changing boundaries of the city. It was suggested that Tecumseh Branch
be moved to the area of Anthony Boulevard and St. Joe River Drive, near
Zollner Stadium. Lx)cal resident Carl Kruse had made an offer to build a
branch facility near the stadium that could be leased by library Trustees.
Another suggestion was to relocate Tecumseh Branch to St. Joseph
Township. The Board also considered a site that was offered for sale by
Indiana and Purdue Universities. The Board tabled these suggestions at the
September 1967 meeting. Late in April 1970, plans still called for
construction of a new facility to replace Tecumseh Branch, but soon after,
the Board decided to keep the facility in its current location.

By 1972, with the construction of new branches and relocation of
former branches, only Tecumseh remained of the old city branch system. At
that time, Tecumseh needed remodeling, but a lack of funds prevented a
facelift. Tecumseh's existence again was threatened in 1984 when a Branch
Library Service Plan suggested it be eliminated. Public protest from the
neighborhood was swift and vocal, and today Tecumseh remains a vital part
of the East State Boulevard community. In 1989 and 1990, Tecumseh
Branch received more than the remodeling it had needed in the 1970s. The
branch was razed and rebuilt on the same location. It closed September 8,
1989, and moved to an alternate location at 2270 Lake Avenue, Suite 150.
Materials were moved into the newly-built branch in April 1990, and it
reopened to the public May 7.

Activities during the 1980s and early 1990s have included a young
adults' scavenger hunt, literary puzzles for adults, a Peter Rabbit tea party
for children, a visit by author James Alexander Thom, back to school crafts,
a weekly preschool story hour, Halloween crafts, bedtime story hours,
puppet shows, Saturday crafts, zoo story hours, visits with Santa, a lecture
on nutrition for cardiac care, Red Cross babysitting courses, paperback book
sales, tax help, zoo visits. Children's Book Week, Thanksgiving stories and
craft, and a visit from the Trinity Puppeteers. In May 1991, Tecumseh
Branch hosted a birthday party for its one-year-old building.

211

In December 1981, Tecumseh and Hessen Cassel Branches moved
into the realm of high technology when they made the use of computers
available free to patrons. The library's goal was to make computers
available to patrons at the main library and all branches. Tecumseh received
one of the first computers because its current librarian, Jeanne Leffers, had
instigated a successful program during the summer that year. She had
invited a computer company to lend a microcomputer to each branch for one
day each week.

Gary Bailey was manager of Tecumseh Branch during the 1980s.
Christine Lussier was acting manager from 1990 through the spring of 1991 .
Patrick Jones, formerly of the Cuyahoga County Public Library System,
became branch manager in March 1991.

Waynedale Branch

The library will rent quarters in Waynedale for [a] new branch, which has
been needed for some time.

The public library operated a reading room in Waynedale as early
as 1933. This reading room was located in Noble Store in 1935 and 1936
and was under the supervision of Dorothy M. Noble. In August 1936, the
library made plans to establish a branch in Waynedale, which the newspaper
noted had been needed for some time. The library planned to rent quarters
for the new branch.

April 24, 1939, the branch opened in a room in the Waynedale Public
School building with Leah Poorman Green as librarian. Walter F. Hayes,
Wayne Township Trustee, and Arthur Niemeier, Principal of Mount Cavalry
Lutheran School, were named as instrumental in making the new branch
possible. It was Hayes who offered the school room to the library in order
to obtain a suitable
book collection for the
school's children's
reading program. At
its opening,
Waynedale Branch
contained 4,000
volumes suitable for
adults and juveniles,
including reference
materials and books
on the high school
required reading lists.
Hours were noon to 5

^^1

fe 1

r ] .^ -

A patron uses the Waynedale deposit collection,
1928.

212

p.m. daily and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and although located in
a school building, the branch was open to both children and adults. The
newspaper noted that Elmhurst High School students especially would
benefit from the new branch. A Waynedale Branch had been contemplated
for several years but had not been established because of lack of suitable
housing. Funds were not available for constructing a new building.

It is not specifically known when this first Waynedale library branch
closed. It was listed in Fort Wayne city directories in 1943, 1949, and 1955.
The annual report listed Waynedale among the library's branches and sub-
branches in 1953. Sometime between 1955 and 1970, it disappeared.

In March 1970, the library Board authorized establishment of a
temporary branch in the old post office building in Waynedale. This was in
response to a plea from community representatives, who appeared before the
Board to express their interest and prove justification of need and expense,
as well as availability of quarters for the proposed branch. Several hundred
Waynedale residents' signatures were collected on petitions that spring in
favor of a Waynedale Branch. Vincent Blacks was spokesman for the library
Board delegation. At the meeting, Fred Reynolds reminded the Waynedale
contingent, "You will need a building five times that size to meet your
fiiture needs. "^^ This branch opened in the old post office, 2615 Lx)wer
Huntington Road, May 25, 1970. It was noted upon opening that the
building was to be a temporary quarters for the branch; apparently plans
already were being made to find a better location. Kenneth Lauer was in
charge of the branch at its opening, and Barbara Sieminski of 4933 Ardmore
Avenue was its first customer. Steven C. Fortriede temporarily took over
management of the branch in late 1970 with the part time help of Young
Adults' Room employee Fred W. Krueger.

No permanent branch location had been chosen as of August 1970,
and in October 1970, Board members indicated they still were looking for
a branch library site in Waynedale. In July 1971, the library purchased 1.09
acres of land at 2200 Lower Huntington Road for $22,000. An 8,500-
square-foot building was planned. No opposition was given to rezoning the
land for construction of the branch, and the Board of Zoning Appeals gave
its approval in October. Bids opened in February 1972 for construction and
were awarded in March. Kinder Construction received the general contract
in the amount of $201,803. The building was designed by Barton-Coe
Associates. When the new building opened in 1972, Krueger became branch
librarian and remained in that position until 1983, when Donald W. Fisher,
Jr., the branch's current manager, was hired.

In 1989-1990, branches in the Allen County Public Library

'^Carol Shackelford, "Branch Sites Sought for City Library," Fort
Wayne News Sentinel, Mar. 24, 1970.

213

underwent remodeling and, in some cases, complete reconstruction.
Waynedale branch was included in the "face lifts." It closed to the public
November 14, 1989, and reopened January 2, 1990,

Besides offering about 40,000 book volumes, records, cassettes,
toys, and other materials to residents of the Waynedale community, the
branch also provides a wide variety of programming. Some examples are:
three weekly story hours, bedtime stories, holiday parties for children,
Trinity Puppeteers show and puppet-making workshop, spring break film
shorts, zoo visits, craft programs, and lectures.

Woodburn Branch

You have made a fine record at Woodburn.

One of the first deposit stations opened in rural Allen County was
in Stuckey Brothers store in the town of Woodburn on November 1, 1921.
Fifty books comprised the deposit collection in Woodburn, and area
residents were enthusiastic about their "library."

By December, the deposit had grown to one hundred volumes, and
when County Librarian Corinne Metz visited it, only fifteen volumes were
on the shelf; the others all were in circulation. Some of the books had been
checked out by at least ten different people during the deposit station's first
month of existence. From the beginning, demand in Woodburn for
additional library services was high. By March 1922, Woodburn had three
large deposit collections and circulation since their opening had reached 703
- more than any of the other twenty deposit collections. "You have made a
fine record at Woodburn," Metz wrote to Mr. Stuckey, owner of the store
where the first deposit collection was located, "and we appreciate your
cooperation to making the books available to the people of your
community. "^^

The Woodburn Branch had a librarian very early in its history in the
person of Julia Ransom. By 1923, Naomi Tremp had taken her place at a
salary of $15 per month. Tremp remained Woodburn Branch librarian
through about 1969, when she retired and Jessie Stauffer became librarian.

Between August 1924 and July 1925, a reading room opened at the
Woodburn deposit station that was located in the Town Hall. In 1928, it was
the largest of the sixteen existing deposit stations, and was much like a
branch library. It was open regular hours, maintained a reading room with
magazines, and earlier in the year had moved from the Town Hall into a

^^" Woodburn Heads the List of Deposit Libraries," Woodburn News,
Jan. 17, 1922.

214

separate building. The Town Hall, since the jail also was located there, had
not been a pleasant place for readers, it was noted. Woodbum's collection
of books was changed and supplemented as demand required, but was more
or less a permanent collection. By January 1929, the Woodbum deposit
station and reading room were in a state of transition. It was closer to being
a branch library than any of the other deposit stations.

In June 1933, open hours at the five county branches, including
Woodbum which was by then called a branch library, were reduced from
six days a week to two days a week because of the library system's reduced
Depression budget. During the summer of 1934, Woodbum branch was
open 2 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. In the fall of 1935,
it began opening again Monday through Saturday.

The Woodbum library remained at branch status throughout the
1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. It was listed in a number of city directories during
those decades as a branch, but no address was given. In 1972, Woodbum
American Legion Post 337 gave the community a collection of books,
newspapers, and government reports with a strongly pro- American message.
These were to be housed in the Woodbum Branch library on shelves built
by a Legion post member.

At least twice in recent history, the branch has been upgraded
physically. In 1980, the Board approved the expenditure of $40,000 in
January 1980 to four county branches, including Woodbum. Building
repairs were included in this project. In September 1989, remodeling work
began on the Woodbum Branch. The branch reopened Febmary 5, 1990,
with Eugenia Wahl as manager. She replaced Jessie Stauffer, who had
retired in January 1990. Wahl remains manager currently.

Activities during the 1990s at Woodbum Branch have included
"Night of Thunder Cars" to end the 1990 Summer Reading Program, for
which the Fort Wayne Corvette Club, Fort Wayne Camaro Club, and other
local race car owners brought their cars to the branch parking lot, story
hours, Halloween crafts, puppet shows, Christmas crafts and activities, a
nutrition lecture, a Hans Christian Andersen birthday celebration, zoo visits,
paperback book sales, a dog show and obedience demonstration,
storytelling, a bookmark contest, and a celebration of National Potato
Lovers' Month. In September 1991, patrons at Woodbum Branch gained
access to the library system's automated catalog. Educational videotapes for
children were added to the collection in 1993, and educational videotapes for
adults were added in 1994.

Once the largest of the library's county deposit stations, today
Woodbum is the smallest of the system's branch libraries. Its collection
includes more than 7,000 volumes, predominantly popular fiction and
nonfiction. It also has a small reference collection, including almanacs,
dictionaries, and encyclopedias. Records, audiocassettes, and book/cassette
kits for children also are included in the collection.

Chapter 5
Beyond Books

Collections, Culture & Programming

The main business of a public library traditionally has been the
buying, lending, and storing of books and other printed materials. However,
for nearly as long as they have been lenders of books, public libraries also
have been purveyors of culture - bringing to their patrons art exhibits,
concerts, lectures, storytimes, and other forms of displays and events.
During its history, the Allen County Public Library has engaged in a wide
variety of what people in the library field call "programming." This term
encompasses nearly any activity that a library user can watch or participate
in, from hands-on crafts workshops, to zoo visits, to poetry contests.

In some cases, the impetus behind a display or a program was to
make a link between that event and related books, to spark patrons' interest
in a subject, then encourage development of that interest through reading.
An example of this was two 1976 film series shown as part of the program
FILMS PLUS at Hessen Cassel Branch. PLUS stood for Public Libraries in
the United States, and the intent of showing "The Six Wives of Henry VIII"
and "The Spoils of Poynton" was to stimulate more effective use of the
library as a humanities resource through the reading of books related to the
films. Another example of this attempt to "hook" people into reading was
the development of the Renaissance Center for the Book program in 1989.
Colorful, attractive displays connected with this program are intended to
encourage reading and discussion of good books. Some of the topics for
Renaissance Center for the Book displays have been travel books; children's
classics; local, regional, and worldwide architecture; murder mysteries and
true crimes; the voyage of Christopher Columbus; movies and movie stars;
and "For the Fun of It," a display of amusing materials and jokes.

Some programming activities became regular events for the library
system, such as the annual storytelling festival, participation in Fort
Wayne's Three Rivers Festival, and children's storyhours, which began

215

216

Children prepare for a story hour in the Carnegie building, circa
1910-1920.

prior to the 1920s. A Programming Committee comprised of library staff
members was established in the eariy 1980s, faded, and was revived in
1991.

Following is a representative cross-section of special print
collections, programs, and cultural milestones of the library system over the
years:

1929 - A bookmobile sponsored by the National Association of
Book Publishers and others came to Fort Wayne and was parked in front of
the main library. It contained a miniature library for the inspection of book
lovers, book dealers, and the general public.

1934 - The library participated in the Wayne Week celebration, the
city's observance of the 140th anniversary of the coming of General
Anthony Wayne to this area, by displaying about three dozen photos of city
founders.

1966 - Reference librarian Melvin L. Quinn wrote a regular column
for the Journal Gazette featuring ten "Books of the Month."

1966 - The library participated in Indiana's sesquicentennial
celebration and was cited by Governor Roger Branigin as one of the Indiana
organizations which made outstanding contributions to the event.

1968 - The library sponsored an essay contest for seventh- through
twelfth-graders in conjunction with National Library Week.

1968 - Framed art paintings were available for check-out by library
card holders upon the opening of new main library in June.

1968 - Library patrons could view a reprint of the Gutenberg Bible,

217

which was on display when the new main library opened for business.

1969 - The library promoted the film 'Oliver!" with a display of
Charles Dickens' works in the main library lobby, supplemented by still
photos from the motion picture.

1970s - [exact date unknown] The library was the site of a panel
discussion on legalized abortion. Participating were two physicians, an
attorney, a nurse, and a theologian.

1970 - The library had its ninth annual Fine Arts Day.

1970 - The Coalition for the Environment presented a meeting to
discuss the proposed air pollution regulation of the State Air Pollution
Control Board.

1970 - "Discovering Meditation in a New Age" was the title of a
presentation which took place in the main library auditorium. It was taught
by the founder and guru of Wailua University of Contemplative Arts,
Hawaii, Master Subramuniya.

1970 - The library displayed a collection of newspaper headlines
covering World War II.

1970 - The
local chapter of the
Daughters of the
American Revolution
created a Constitution
Week display to
commemorate the
183rd anniversary of
the signing of the
United States
Constitution.

1970 - "Let's
Play Make Believe"
was the title of a doll
fashion show
presented by the
Shawnee Branch librarian.

1971 - A section of the Business and Technology Department was
devoted to a collection of materials on drug abuse.

1972 - The Junior League-sponsored Allen County Drug
Information Center presented educational films on drugs to the library.

1972 - A free concert in the auditorium featured Julia Elliott on
flute, Nancy Morse on harp, and Wilda Gene Marcus on piano.

1972 - The library was tied into the Indiana Information Retrieval
System (INDIRS), which allowed patrons to tap into information about
Indiana by computer. The database was housed at the Indiana University
School of Business in Bloomington.

This 1969 exhibit was featured in the second
floor art gallery.

218

1974 - The library presented previews of films and videotapes from
noon to 1 p.m. in the auditorium.

1979 - The library had an Albert Einstein anniversary program with
the unveiling of an Einstein bust, a film, and an exhibit.

1980-1981 - Cinema Center, in association with the library,
presented a series of movies with the theme "A Season of International
Intrigue. "

1981 - A series of solar seminars included information on solar
greenhouses, weatherization, and designing a solar house.

1981 - Some of the children who participated in the annual summer
reading club had their names drawn and received hot air balloon rides.

1981 - The Young Adults Department and Jim Danndy Hobbies
sponsored two Dungeons and Dragons Days.

1982 - The National Library Week celebration included tours of the
library, speaker George Plimpton, a children's film series, storytimes, a
drawing class for children, a scavenger hunt, a woodcarving demonstration,
preschool fire safety programs, a Peter Rabbit tea party, a lecture by visiting
author Syd Hoff, and another Dungeons and Dragons Day.

1982 - Shawnee Branch featured a spring break Monopoly
tournament.

1982 - Magician Ernie Johnson gave a magic show at New Haven
Branch.

1983 - The library celebrated Frugal Month with talks, concerts,
free family films, and the Frugal Wall, a wall in the library lobby where
patrons were encouraged to post ideas for saving money.

1986 - Fort Wayne artists Jim and Dianna Thomhill-Miller, in
exchange for old Engine House No. 7, which they wanted to acquire for use
as a studio, agreed to produce original works of art worth $30,000 to be
placed in public buildings in the city. A site selection committee solicited
suggestions from the community and the main library was the leading choice
among citizens who submitted suggestions. The kite air-sculpture in the
main library's stairway is the resulting piece of art.

1986 - A National Endowment for the Humanities grant had
garnered $34,000 in interest that was allocated for the purchase of
biographical reference works, poetry, biography, American history,
literature, first-hand narratives of Native American life and customs,
genealogy and local history periodicals. Native American census materials,
books of photographs, drawings and descriptions of military uniforms, and
books in the art fields, particularly oriental art, papermaking, rare books,
textile arts, modem art, and fine art.

1986 - The fourth annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Day took place.

19SK) - "Murder We Write," a roadshow comprised of readings,
conversations, and mysterious surprises, was presented.

1990 - Georgetown Branch had a preschool fire safety program.

219

1990 - New Haven Branch offered a program titled Homework
Help.

1990-1991 - Food for Thought was an adult lunchtime book
discussion group.

1990 - New Haven Branch had a recycling week.

1990-1994 - The library hosted Antiques Evaluation Days.

1990 - The Fort Wayne Ballet and Fort Wayne Dance Collective
performed.

1990 - Elementary and middle school children caroled in the library
at Christmastime.

1990 - Librarian Denise Buhr read Charles Dickens' "A Christmas
Carol" in a series of three readings at Dupont Branch.

1990 - Pontiac branch hosted Kwanzaa, an African- American
cultural celebration.

1991 - ScienceRiot was presented, with movies in children's
department, meteorologist programs at several branches, and other activities.

1991 - Trinity Puppeteers performed at Waynedale, Tecumseh, and
Little Turtle Branches.

1991 - Monroeville Branch hosted a landscaping program.

1991 - A program on nutrition for cardiac care was presented at
Tecumseh and Shawnee Branches by the Northeast Indiana Dietetic
Association.

1991 - Spring break kite workshops were at the main library
Children's Department,

1991 - Monroeville Branch was the site of an American Red Cross
babysitter workshop.

1991 - Dupont Branch had a defensive driving program for drivers
aged 55 and older.

1991 - Aboite Branch hosted a plant and animal 4-H "learn-about"
series.

1991 - The main library was the site of a display of artwork made
with butterfly wings.

1991 - The library hosted a "Read-In" program to celebrate
Freedom to Read Week (Banned Book Week).

1992 - Little Theater for the Deaf came to the library.

1992 - Channel 10 and Channel 20 began broadcasting French
news.

1992 - Readers' Services had packs of information on the
community for new residents.

1992 - The Reynolds Society presented an Irish Genealogical
Workshop featuring speaker Nora M. Hickey.

1992 - Local dentist and children's singer/musician Dr. Steve Butler
gave a concert at the main library.

1992 - Dee Kane of Settlers, Inc., demonstrated comhusk crafts and

220 •

dolls at New Haven Branch.

1993 - Woodburn Branch celebrated National Potato Lovers' Month
with potato books on display and a potato story contest for elementary
school students.

1993 - Librarians participated in the Very Special Arts Festival at
Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne as storytellers for hundreds of children with
disabilities.

Experiments & Eccentricities
of the Public Library

Change is inevitable in any institution that has been in existence for
a century, even one as staid as a public library. Through its history, the
local library dabbled in new services and situations, some which have
become usual, and some that seem odd to a modem library employee or
patron. These included, but were not limited to the rental of books for a fee,
the advent of open or browsing shelves, extending borrowing privileges to
transient residents of the area, providing reference service, allowing three-
month "vacation loans" of books, and housing cats in library facilities.

Rental Collections. In 1900, the library began renting extra copies
of popular fiction. Five works, Richard Garvel, Janice Meredith, Gentleman
from Indiana, To Have and To Hold, and The Light ofScarthey, were rented
a total of 586 times during a nine-month period and brought in monies
slightly exceeding the initial cost of the books. To satisfy patrons' demands
for the latest books, the library started a rental collection again in 1922. It
contained fiction and non-fiction volumes that were duplicates of circulating
books and could be borrowed for two cents per day, payable when the book
was returned. Any number could be borrowed. No library card was
necessary.

Open or Browsing Shelves. With the move to temporary quarters
during the construction of the Carnegie building in 1901 , the library initiated
its open-shelf system, allowing patrons to choose books by browsing.
"Librarians have always debated the question of free or open shelves. In
ancient times the shelves were almost never free of access to the public.
Books could only be passed out to students under the most burdensome
restrictions. More recently with the growth of public libraries these
restrictions have been removed in many cities,"' Rex Potterf said in 1940.

'Rex Potterf, "Inspection at Library," unidentified newspaper, 1940.

221

Reference Service and Readers* Advisory. A type of reference
service was mentioned in an undated pamphlet titled "Equal Book Privileges
for The Farm Home and The City Home," probably published between 1920
and 1931 . The pamphlet described countywide library services and included
this paragraph: "Farm clubs, community clubs, literary societies and
women's clubs may get the help they need for papers, debates and
discussions by requesting material on their special subjects."^ Librarians of
this time period also provided at least some reader's advisory service, as
evidenced by this passage from the same pamphlet: "Help will be given as
to the best books on any subjects, and book lists will be furnished upon
request." Also "Through the County Librarian, reading lists and experienced
help on the best books on specified subjects may be secured. For this
service, reading lists already compiled by the Main Library, revised
frequently and kept on file, may be drawn upon. New subjects will be
considered and a list of recommended books submitted upon request."^

County Service Before County Service. Before countywide library
service was begun in 1920, citizens from Allen County who did not live
within the Fort Wayne city limits were allowed library privileges if they
paid a fee of $1 or displayed proof that they owned property in Fort Wayne.
This privilege began in 1902. After 1923, temporary residents of Fort
Wayne or Allen County - those who would be in the area for fewer than
three months - were eligible for transient library privileges. They could
withdraw books for a $3 fee, refundable upon return of the books.

Vacation Loans. In 1923, patrons could check out materials on
"vacation loan." As many as two fiction and eight nonfiction books could
be borrowed by any patron who was leaving the city of Fort Wayne on
vacation, and could be kept from June 1 through September 15. Librarians
could refuse to loan any book that it seemed wise not to remove from
circulation for that amount of time, or those that had been in the library less
than one year. People who were not leaving the city were not eligible for
vacation loans. This procedure was revived for discussion in the early
1990s, but it was decided not to reenact vacation loans at that time.

Contagious Disease Policy. In 1923, books returned from homes
where quarantinable diseases were in existence were destroyed. Names of
these homes were obtained daily and compared with the names and

^"Equal Book Privileges for the Farm Home and the City Home," Public
Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County brochure, circa 1930.

%id.

222

circulation records of borrowers. Diseases included in this policy included
diphtheria, scarlet fever, small pox, cerebra-spinal meningitis, poliomyletis,
measles, and chicken pox. No fines were charged in this case; books were
replaced at the library's expense. The patron was given a new library card.
Library staff were instructed not to touch these books, but to provide a
newspaper in which to wrap the books to the person returning them, and
then to give the parcel to the janitor to bum.

Cats in the Library ... and a Branch. Mary Price, librarian of the
Little Turtle Branch, had cats in the branch during her tenure from 1929 to
1963. Head Librarians Rex Potterf, then Fred Reynolds, took in stray cats
who then lived in the main library building. At least eight cats lived in the
Carnegie building and an annex from the 1940s to the late 1960s. The first
two were Sweetie Face and Toughie, both seven-toed cats introduced by
Potterf. Two cats lived in the subbasement and two in the Head Librarian's
office during Reynolds' tenure. They were there, Reynolds said, because he
liked cats.

Documentary Photography. In 1956, the library was practicing
documentary photography, using film and still cameras to photograph
historic sites and events, important buildings, local bridges and churches. "I
was assigned for a few years (somewhat of an extra-curricular activity) to
record some of the local happenings of an educational and sometimes
catastrophic nature on motion picture film,'"* Robert H. Vegeler later
explained.

Cameras for Loan. Briefly in 1983, library patrons were able to
borrow Sun cameras from the main library and branches. Polaroid
Corporation gave the library fifteen of the cameras with the only stipulation
that the library keep circulation figures on the cameras for three months,
and that borrowers be asked to complete a questionnaire.

No-Smoking Policy. In 1986, the library Board of Trustees
approved a no-smoking policy for the main library and branches by a four
to three vote. The impetus was a growing concern for health effects of
smoke on non-smokers and the annoyance smoke causes many of them.
There had been numerous objections to the smoking areas in the library.

*Vegeler correspondence to Dawne Slater-Putt, 1993.

223

Auxiliary & Support Organizations

Friends of
The Allen County Public Library

In March 1981, the Allen County Public Library's Board of
Trustees gave its approval for the formation of a Friends of the Library
group. The impetus behind the founding of the Friends organization was that
it, perhaps with an endowed foundation in the future, might become
solutions for the problem of tightening tax revenues. The Friends group
could supplement the staff through volunteer projects, as well as provide
financial support for the library, it was theorized. In June, the Friends
membership drive began. It was planned that the group would help publicize
the library, provide volunteers for special projects, create an awareness of
the need for maintaining the library's budget, and solicit donations. It would
hold quarterly meetings and dues-paying members would receive a
newsletter. Depending on the level of contribution a member wanted to give,
dues ranged from $1 to $1,000.

From the beginning, the Friends group designated two-thirds of its
annual budget for special projects and one-third for sponsoring programs on
behalf of the library. It is a non-profit organization of citizens who,
according to its statement of purpose, "have a common concern for their
library's active expansion and participation in community life,"^ and a
conviction that good library service is important. Goals of the Friends
organization are to spread the word about the library's services, to help the
library with special projects, to support and safeguard adequate income for
the library, and to encourage gifts and bequests which will enhance the
library's resources. The Friends' Board of Directors is composed of five
officers, six at-large members, the library Director, and a representative of
the library's Board of Trustees. Membership is open to all who agree with
the group's purposes and goals.

One of the regular activities of the Friends of the Allen County
Public Library has been planning and hosting the sale of discarded books.
The first Friends book sale took place just a few months after the group's
inception, in October 1981. The three-day sale was deemed a smashing
success and raised more than $13,000. Sixty to seventy volunteers gave
almost 1 ,100 hours of their time to the event. At least twenty-two volunteers
each day during the week prior to the sale prepared the books. Nearly
24,000 books and four hundred records were sold. Friends book sales soon
became a semi-annual event, occurring in the spring and fall. By October

^Bookfriends , Friends of the Allen County Public Library newsletter, 1
(Winter 1981-1982): 2.

224

or November of 1981 , the Friends organization had about 150 members and
its promised newsletter, BookFriends, was being published.

The first Friends of the Library program took place in November
of 1981, and was a panel discussion on Allen County history featuring
Clifford Richards, Allen County Historian and former Central High School
teacher; Cliff Scott, Associate Professor of history at the local Indiana
University-Purdue University campus; and David Crosson, director of the
Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society. In December of that first year,
the organization gave the library a donation to buy two microcomputers and
software for $1,800. A $10,000 donation from the first book sale provided
for the purchase of a teaching machine with two program kits, publication
of the library's annual report, promotion of the 1982 Summer Reading
Program, purchase of Spanish language books, and in-service workshops
and travel expenses for staff members.

Among the special programs the Friends group sponsors, a favorite
type is author visits. During the nearly fourteen years of its existence, the
organization has brought adult's and children's authors to the main library
and its branches. Some of the authors had a local connection, such as
Hoosier Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., while others were simply popular writers.
There have been visits and talks by authors who write on a wide variety of
subjects.

In 1982, two sales of used books raised more than $26,000. The
group channeled thousands of hours of volunteer labor into the library. By
September 1983, the Friends were hoping to establish the endowed
foundation that had been hinted at earlier, in order to guarantee the library's
survival despite shrinking allocations of funds from the state and federal
levels. That year, the Friends won the 1983 Citizen's Award of the Indiana
Library Association and the Indiana Library Trustee Association. Also in
1983, the Friends began a new membership campaign, "It's Gold," to
represent the solid value offered by library services and resources. The
campaign was advertised through billboards, newspaper advertisements, and
mailings, and patrons could purchase gold-colored library cards for $25. It
was planned that $10,000 of the money raised from the campaign would be
used to begin the Allen County Public Library Foundation.

In 1984, the success of the Friends of the Allen County Public
Library, combined with the large numbers of other volunteers from the
community, spurred the creation of a new staff position - manager of
volunteers. The position entailed recruiting and training library volunteers,
as well as working with library employees to find tasks for volunteers. At
that time, about one hundred volunteers regularly worked in the public
access television studio, and other volunteers - including Friends members -
gave library tours, staffed book sales, inspect borrowed films when
returned, and helped with library programs. About two hundred people
volunteered on a regular basis. Cathleen Amoldy was the first manager of

225

volunteers, followed by Katherine Smith. The current supervisor of
volunteers is Georgean Johnson-Coffey.

In 1985, the Friends contributed $75,000 to the Allen County Public
Library Foundation as a response to a National Endowment for the
Humanities challenge grant; $8,000 for lighted floor plans and lobby
displays; and $1,000 for the Summer Reading Program. Membership had
grown to more than 2,600 people and two author visits were sponsored.
Projects for 1986 were two author visits, an author reception, five book
sales, contributions to the Summer Reading Program and sponsorship of
Volunteer Recognition Day. In 1988, the Friends organization continued its
support of the Summer Reading Program and Volunteer Recognition Day,
gave tours of the main library, purchased unfunded items for the library,
promoted use of library services and materials, brought authors to town, and
supported the Foundation by making contributions toward its endowment.
Incentives for enrollment in the group included the BookFriends newsletter,
calendars of library and Friends programs, and early admission to book
sales. Membership fees ranged from the regular dues, which was $5, to
$100.

In 1989, the Friends established a tuition support program for staff
members who were pursuing the Master of Library Science degree. In the
same year, the group contributed $10,000 for a computerized desktop
publishing system for the library. Projects in 1991 included support of the
Summer Reading Program, Volunteer Recognition Day, Staff Development
Day, the Foundation, scholarship money for staff librarians, and the
purchase of additional materials and equipment. In 1992, the group backed
a one-year experiment to get high-interest reading materials into the hands
of young people who were not enthusiastic about reading. By 1993, the
Friends had added another regular program to its list of projects sponsored -
the annual Storytelling Festival.

Allen County Public Library Foundation

In March 1981, when the Board of Trustees of the Allen County
Public Library gave approval for the establishment of a Friends of the Allen
County Public Library group, the first seeds of the Allen County Public
Library Foundation also were planted. It was announced at the time that the
Friends group, plus a future endowed foundation, could help the library
financially in times of tightening tax revenues. The Foundation was formally
created in 1984 by the Friends and the Board of Library Trustees to ensure
the long-term well being of the library through planning for diversification
of income.

In 1985, the Foundation was the recipient of a $150,000 grant from
the Foellinger Foundation and a corporate match of $10,000 to the Friends
from the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. By the end of the year,
the Foundation's funds had grown to $260,000 through the Foellinger grant,

226

a total contribution from the Friends of $75,000, including the Lincoln
National money, and part of a challenge grant from the National Endowment
for the Humanities (NEH). The Foundation also managed the Christman
Fund, a bequest to the Fred J. Reynolds Historical Genealogy Department
of almost $60,000. The Foundation planned a campaign to raise the
remainder of the $900,000 needed to release the $300,000 in National
Endowment for the Humanities funds available under the terms of the
challenge grant.

In 1986, progress was made toward raising the $900,000 in local
funds needed for the NEH challenge grant through contributions from the
Knight Foundation, the Journal-Gazette Foundation, and individuals. When
fully matched, the grant would result in a $1.2 million endowment. A
professional fundraising firm was hired to conduct a feasibility study, which
indicated that adequate support existed in the community to launch a major
fundraising campaign to raise the remainder of the local funds for the
challenge grant. The campaign, titled Legacy of Knowledge, was launched
in 1987 and continued through 1988.

In 1986, the Foundation embarked on the Periodical Source Index
indexing and publishing project, funded by the Christman bequest monies
and initiated by then Historical Genealogy Department Manager Michael B.
Clegg. The retrospective portion of this project was expected to result in a
database of about 750,000 index entries from genealogy and local history
periodicals, a number that was greatly surpassed at its completion in 1994.
[See Historical Genealogy Department, Chapter 3. J Publication of PERSI
resulted in a barrage of letters from patrons all over the world, asking for
photocopies of articles indexed in the set. In 1992, the Foundation hired an
employee to answer these letters. With a charge of $5 handling and twenty
cents per page for copies, answering the letters generates more money for
the Christman Fund.

In 1989, distributions from the Foundation's Humanities Endowment
Fund reached $63,000 and were used to purchase books and library
materials in the humanities. The Foundation's assets reached $1.6 million.
Two new endowments were created in 1989, the Business, Science and
Technology Endowment Fund, and the Young People's Endowment Fund.
By December 1991, the Humanities Endowment stood at $1.6 million and
continued to grow. Currently, the Foundation continues adding to its
endowments which support various subject areas of the library's collection.

Issues in Librarianship

Technology

Throughout its history, the public library in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
has remained steadfast in its mission of bringing education, entertainment.

227

and culture first to the citizens of Fort Wayne, and then to all of Allen
County. But though the goals of the library may be much the same in 1995
as they were in 1895, the available formats of materials and methods of
service have multiplied probably beyond the wildest imaginings of the first
librarians and patrons.

At the opening of the public library in City Hall in 1895, virtually
all materials were in print format. A card catalog did not exist; instead,
books were named in a "finding list," literally a list of materials published
in a book. Circulation functions were performed by hand. Later, the card
catalog came into being, but cards were handwritten until the advent of
typewriters. Book cards also were handwritten, and different colors of ink
were used for cards belonging to various branches. From finding lists and
handwritten catalog cards and book cards in the 1890s, the library system
has advanced to an automated computer catalog and linked circulation
system in the 1990s. In the area of materials formats, the journey has been
from books, magazines, and newspapers to those plus microfilm,
phonograph records, audiocassettes, audio compact disks, films, videotapes,
and computer compact disks and online services.

In the 1920s, a non-book form of information was available in the
Children's Room. Stereoscopic views or stereopticon slides portrayed three-
dimensional pictures of countries and industries. Late in the decade, the
library sent its show on the road, as the first year-round book wagon began
rolling in 1929.

Sources are mute regarding
technology and the library in the
1930s, probably because of the
limited financial resources of the
time of the Great Depression.

The technological highlight
of the 1940s may have been the
establishment of the Record Room
in 1948. By March 1949, 18,000
recordings were available,
including music, statesmen's ^. . . ...

addresses, foreign language The telephone was technology that
records, and records for children. "^° ^ impact.
All could be borrowed by patrons.

It was feared in the 1950s that the increased popularity of television
would cause library patronage to decrease, but this did not happen. In fact,
what patrons saw on television sparked their interest in various subjects and
library employees found it necessary to expand the scope of reading
materials available. The library offered the following to its patrons in the
way of technology in the 1950s: three record players and 20,835 records,
one film projector, 1,621 microcards, twenty-two microfilm readers and

228 •

4,629 rolls of microfilm. Behind the scenes, the library had addressograph
equipment which mechanized some portion of the cataloging job; call
number labeling machines; a book pocket gluing machine; an electronic
photocharger for circulation; and microfilming equipment with which it
filmed 20,000 pages of public documents; an American Type Founders
process camera for offset printing; a Remington Rand Transcopy Duplex
machine; a check writing machine; a Cormac photographic copying
machine; and 110 typewriters. Documentary photography with film and still
photographs was a library project during the 1950s. The library system had
a fleet of eighteen motor vehicles.

Since the late 1950s, the library has had a Print Shop. Initially, it
published large numbers of historical pamphlets researched and written by
staff members. Today the Print Shop no longer produces historical
pamphlets, but creates the library's annual report, signage, brochures and
leaflets, as well as contracts for materials for outside agencies.

A photocopying machine was installed in the Business and
Technology Department in 1963. It is unclear whether this was a machine
for public, or solely staff use. Another copier was installed in 1967, and
during its first five weeks of use, receipts for copies made by patrons totaled
$178.10. This amount was more than was made by the library's four public
parking lots during the same time period.

Plans for the construction of the current library building in the mid-
to late- 1960s included numerous technological advancements. Some of them
were a system of pneumatic tubes to carry patron requests to the basement
(never implemented); electric dumbwaiters to carry books from the basement
to main floors; a public typing room; tape recording rooms; additional
photocopying machines; and elevators. A microfilm reader-printer was
purchased in 1969. In the way of materials, the library acquired additional
phonograph records, microfilm, microfiche, 8mm films, and color slides.
The main library and branches loaned 22,112 phonograph records, 1,635
Viewmaster reels, 2,212 films, and 6,324 slides in 1967 alone. In that year,
the color slide collection was increased by 3,700.

Computers were in their infancy in the 1960s, but their potential use
for libraries may already have been apparent. The Board of Trustees
authorized Director Fred Reynolds to attend an International Business
Machines computer school at Endicott, New York, in August of 1965. In
1972, the library and South Side High School were to be linked to a
computer databank of facts about Indiana, called the Indiana Information
Retrieval System (INDIRS), via telephone lines. The federally-funded
databank was located at Indiana University's School of Business in
Bloomington. The concepts of libraries and computers were beginning to be
associated regularly in the 1970s, as the 1978 Indiana Library Association
Conference and the 1979 National Library Association Conference included
discussions on using computer networks to link libraries across the state and

229

nation.

Technology continued to have an impact upon the local public
library as well during the 1970s. In 1971, the library system contracted for
its first source on microfiche - the 19, 000- volume Library of American
Civilization. One seven-hundred-page volume was contained on just one
sheet of the opaque film. Library officials estimated that this single purchase
would save the library nearly $65,000, the cost of cataloging 19,000
volumes. Plans were made to purchase additional microfiche products on
literature, European history, and technical studies.

In 1974, a teletype machine was used for retrieval of documents
throughout the nation. The library began a 16mm film library that year. By
August of 1976, 24 films were available on various topics through the
Indiana Library Film Service, and were changed periodically. In 1977,
through a $1,300 supplemental grant from the Indiana Committee for the
Humanities, library staff videotaped certain programs of the Indiana
University-Purdue University History Department at Fort Wayne. Some of
these videos had corresponding exhibits and bibliographies. Branches of the
library system were moving into the current technological world in the
1970s with photocopiers and security systems. At the time of construction
in 1971-72, Hessen Cassel Branch's multi-purpose room was equipped for
audio-visual use.

Non-print sources were becoming commonplace in the public library
by the early 1980s. "Videotapes, microfiche and computer programs are
taking places beside books and magazines as sources of information and
entertainment,"^ one source noted. Librarians were charged with
considering how computers could be used to store and process information,
to communicate with other libraries, and to provide direct services to
patrons. Technological changes in services and materials in the 1980s
included:

• The advent of Dial-a-Story. Children were encouraged to call a
local telephone number twenty-four hours a day to hear a story.

• A Telecommunication Center. This department allowed patrons
access to video equipment and training, then aired the resulting programs on
the local public-access cable television station.

• The beginning of computers at branch libraries. Tecumseh and
Hessen Cassel Branches were the first to receive computers. The goal was
computers for all branches and the main library.

• The availability of videotapes for checkout by patrons.

• A "talking" World Book encyclopedia was available on cassette
tapes by 1982.

*^Spice, "Computer Technology Forms Basis for Services of Libraries of
the Future. "

230

• Modern IBM electronic typewriters for patron use.

• Record albums at all branches, and audiocassette tapes at some
branches.

• A Kurzweil Reading Machine that "read" printed material for
people with visual impairments,

• Computer compact disks. The first ones were located in Business
and Technology about 1989.

Behind the scenes, the main news of the library in the 1980s was
the process of computer automation of the circulation system and library
catalog. In 1983, a $100,000 grant from the Library Services and
Construction Act allowed the beginning of the conversion of the card
catalogs to computer- readable files. Other advancements during the 1980s
included the installation of about eight miles of motorized steel shelving in
the subbasement storage area of the library addition; the purchase of a
computerized energy management system that controlled the cycles of
heating and cooling units; the purchase of a computer book-ordering system;
the installation of a Knogo security gate in the Art, Music and Audiovisual
Services area; the advent of laser light pens used in the checkin and
checkout process; and the purchase of a computerized desktop publishing
system with a $10,000 contribution from the Friends of the Allen County
Public Library.

Technology in the library has exploded in the 1990s in the areas of
fax machines, telephone systems, videotapes and related services, and
beyond. Probably the most significant area of growth has been in the realm
of computer products and online services. These have been increasingly used
by library patrons, and by library employees in the course of their work.
Computer services for patrons in the 1990s have included the availability of
computers for public use at virtually all library agencies; more than thirty
different compact disk products and online computer databases for patron
use; and CD-ROM and online searching services. The increased use of
computers by patrons and staff was reflected during the library's strategic
planning process in 1991 and 1992, when topics of discussion included
preventing computer viruses and hacking; maintaining an inventory of
microcomputers, peripherals, and software systemwide; establishing a
centralized source of training, troubleshooting, and repair for staff
microcomputer users; and establishing a preventative maintenance and
replacement plan for library equipment, including computers.

With the advent of the computer catalog, the next logical step was
to provide patrons with the ability to dial into the catalog via modem from
their home computers. By April of 1992, this service was a reality.
Meanwhile, Young Adult Services staff were developing a learning program
to assist their patrons in using the online catalog, and in early 1993,
Channel 10 employees created a public service announcement calling
attention to the catalog.

231

Service to library branch patrons gained a boost in 1990, when Fax
Central opened at the main library. Through this new service, if a branch
patron needed a periodical article available only at the main library, the
article could be sent via facsimile machine to the branch within about twenty
minutes.

Video products have become commonplace in the library in the
1990s. The Art, Music and Audiovisual Services area stocks videotapes of
all varieties for checkout by patrons. In addition, an orientation to the
Historical Genealogy Department is available on videotape for patrons to
view before beginning their research; Periodical Source Index staff member
Jennifer Doerflein Hines produced a videotape outlining beginning
genealogy aimed at children and young adults; and the 1992 and 1993
Summer Reading Programs were introduced to school classes via a
promotional videotape. The increased popularity of videotapes in the arena
of the public library has not been without implications, however. One
concern has been the legalities of public performance rights; another has
been the method and difficulty of cataloging the tapes. Other non-print
format materials also have created challenges not faced with books and
magazines. In 1991, volunteers were sought to serve on a committee to
decide how non-print media should be processed. In 1993, Technical
Services personnel discussed how to process books with accompanying audio
compact disks or computer software floppy disks. The same year, staff
members considered creating a catalog of computer CD-ROM products, as
well as a pathfinder to the CD-ROMs owned by the library.

A new telephone system in 1992 provided an automated attendant
system which answered calls automatically offered patrons a choice of
departments, then asked to press the corresponding button on their touch-
tone telephones. Goals of the new telephone system were quicker service to
patrons in processing their calls, and fewer misdirected calls. In addition to
automated answering, the system also provided a voice mail message service
for department managers and some other staff members. Patrons who were
placed on hold during telephone contact with the library heard tape-recorded
messages about library services and events.

One of the library system's strategies in the area of technology, as
brought out by the most recent strategic planning process, is to "Adopt a
stance of 'prudent innovator' with respect to the implementation of new
technologies, i.e., invest in new technologies after they have been tested and
proven effective, but soon enough to provide patrons with the advantages of
the latest advances in a timely manner. "^

''Allen County Public Library Strategic Plan, 1992-1997, Fort Wayne,
Ind.: Allen County Public Library, no page numbers.

232 ^

Literacy

Throughout the history of the Allen County Public Library and its
former incarnations, literacy has been an issue of great importance.
However, through the 1980s and 1990s, the library system has taken a
proactive stance against illiteracy in the Fort Wayne and Allen County
community. In 1986, with the assistance of a $23,600 federal Library
Services and Construction Act grant, the system established an adult literacy
program. Through the program, library staff worked with local literacy
organizations to train volunteer tutors and provide learning materials for
functionally illiterate adults.

Illiteracy gained national attention in 1989, and in that year, the
local library system launched the Renaissance Center for the Book program
to promote books and reading. The program featured exhibits on books of
a particular theme with corresponding handouts or bibliographies. The
library system also continued to work with the local Three Rivers Literacy
Alliance and other groups.

One of the projected issues of the 1990s, as highlighted in the
library system's strategic planning process at the beginning of the decade,
was the promotion of literacy. In April of 1990, the Indiana State Library
and the Indiana State School for the Deaf received a grant to provide tutor
training throughout the state for literacy tutors for the deaf. The Allen
County Public Library was one of the sites designated as a training center.
During two Saturdays, nineteen tutors were trained locally.

In 1991, the adult basic reading collection in Readers' Services
included a System-80 reading machine with two record/strip sets for
learning words and several videotapes, as well as books and other materials.
In November of that year, the library participated in an adult student
education program operated by Fort Wayne Community Schools to
encourage library use by students and their families. The Three Rivers
Literacy Alliance sponsored a Books for Kids program beginning in April
1992. The library and its branches served as collection sites where the
public could donate books for disadvantaged children.

It is a fact of library life that books wear out or become outdated,
and periodically must be discarded from the shelves as new ones take their
places. Throughout the history of the local institution, library administrators
have searched for an appropriate home for these discarded materials, since
burning them or consigning them to the landfill seems to many a
blasphemous blow against the cause for literacy. In the spring of 1957, the
local library donated 25,000 books to libraries in eastern Kentucky that had
been damaged by floods. Director Rex Potterf said he was glad to share the
books. "In an old Carnegie main Library such as this, it is usually necessary
to displace a volume for each new one acquired," he said. "We can no
longer sell these for wastepaper because of the current low price of

233

wastepaper. Instead, we bum them."* In 1971, books removed from the
library's shelves were taken by Allen County Sheriff Robert A. Bender for
use by the inmates of the county jail.

In 1981, the newly-formed Friends of the Allen County Public
Library began holding semi-annual sales of books that had been withdrawn
from the library collection. After the first such sale in October, a book
dealer purchased the 6,0(X)-some leftover books. Following the Friends'
spring 1982 book sale, leftover volumes were placed in a dumpster,
prompting complaints by at least one local resident who believed they should
have been given to a charity, school, or other organization. Director Rick
J, Ashton said local organizations expressed limited interest. He added that
officials had considered shipping leftover books to the West Indies, but that
no one would donate boxes for storage and the library did not have enough
volunteers to pack the books. Not all leftover books were discarded, Ashton
added. Some were stored for the next sale.

The local Jaycees stepped into the gap in the fall of 1982 and the
spring of 1983 to distribute books leftover from the Friends' sales to
prisons, small town libraries, and other organizations. During the next few
years, hospitals, prisons, and other facilities picked up the leftover books
following Friends' sales, but in the fall of 1987 and 1989, no one claimed
the sale leftovers and books again went into a dumpster. Public outcry was
strong. "It's indicative of a more serious problem," said citizen Ernie Pyle
in 1987, "You're seeing ignorance in action. We're a disposable society."^
In 1989, a letter to the editor of the Journal Gazette provided several
alternatives to discarding volumes: have several sales so tables are not so
crowded and buyers can see titles, provide shopping baskets or carts to
encourage sales, lower the cost of the books, don't stack sets of books on
floor where people with disabilities and the elderly cannot see them, and
offer leftover books for free in newspaper and television. "What about it,
library, will you give it a try in 1990?"'° the letter-writer queried.

Censorship

Throughout the history of the Allen County Public Library, some
small number of patrons have not found the materials they sought among the
items on the facility's shelves. For these patrons, the answer may have been

*"25,000 Books Arrive to Restock Flooded Libraries."

^Valerie Von Frank, "Library's Unsold Books Go Out With Yesterday's
Trash," Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Oct. 10, 1987.

'°L.A. Berger, "Unsold Library Books Could Have Boosted Literacy,"
letter to the editor. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Oct. 20, 1989.

234 •

that the material did not exist, was available elsewhere but could not be
obtained in the local library, or was available to the local library through
purchase or interlibrary loan. In these situations, librarians have tried to
obtain the material or let the patron know where it existed, if it existed.

However, what was to be done with complaints made by patrons
throughout the institution's history who did find what they didn't want on
the shelves of the public library and wanted it removed? The struggle
against censorship is a perennial one for public libraries. While a public
library embraces the idea of being a doorway to information and ideas of all
types, it is difficult not to empathize with that patron who does not want his
or her young child exposed to ideas and images that are unpalatable, or even
blatantly prurient in the eyes of the majority of the library's patrons.

The Allen County Public Library's Collection Development Policy
stipulates that the facility make available for public use "the largest number,
highest quality and widest range of books and other library materials which
its resources will permit."" This necessitates that there will be on
occasion, materials that portray viewpoints contrary to those of some
patrons, and that some individuals may feel do not belong on the shelves of
the public library. In general, it has been the position of local library
administrators and the Board of Trustees throughout history to embrace what
is now known as Freedom of Information, the concept that materials should
be available about differing views on all subjects, and that patrons should
be free to study, learn about, and espouse these ideas as they prefer. The
Collection Development Policy specifically states that the origin,
background, or viewpoint of an author does not warrant exclusion of that
person's works from the collection of the Allen County Public Library, nor
does partisan or doctrinal disapproval of an item. The policy also states that
"origin, age, background, or viewpoint of a library user does not deny or
abridge that person's right to full use of the library,"'^ although age has
been used on occasion to limit or disallow use of some materials.

Beginning in the late 1950s, certain library books were marked "Q"
for "questionable" and kept in an area separate from the main browsing
stacks. A list of the "Q" books was kept at the main circulation desk for
patron use, and the books were available for perusal or checkout by adults
or by young people with the consent of a parent or guardian. In July 1964,
Newsboardy the staff newsletter, noted that ten titles were being held in the
head librarian's office for approval. "The problem is a thorny one, as is any

""Collection Development," Allen County Public Library policy revised
June 24, 1982, Policies and Procedures (Fort Wayne, Ind.: Unpublished
staff manual, various dates).

'%id.

235

problem of censorship in a public library,"" the author of the article noted.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, staff member Laura McCaffery, then
of the Young Adults' Department, determined which books received "Q"
ratings. Originally the ratings were based on Virginia Kirkus Reviews, a
publication that reviewed books and deemed some questionable. However,
in 1967, the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County began to
assign "Q" ratings based on local sensibilities. While Virginia Kirkus
Reviews gave "Q" ratings for religion, science fiction, and sexual content,
the local library gave "Q" ratings only for sexual content. McCaffery said
she based her decisions on a continuing study of the climate of the
community. "People in Fort Wayne can't stand books about masturbation or
oral sex,"'"* she said in 1973. In 1980, she explained further: "We try to
'Q' according to the morals and opinions and sensibilities of the community.
Or just plain old community standards. And these do change. You just have
to keep watching and listening to the community."'^

No evidence has been found to suggest that the library began its
"Q" rating system because of patron complaints against certain materials. In
fact, a patron in 1980 complained to a local newspaper columnist that the
library "hid" certain books because they were "dirty." A novel by author
Harold Robbins was used as an example. McCaffery said the library's "Q"
system was not censorship because patrons could get the books. She said
they were stored in the basements because of a lack of storage space, as
were many other books that were not rated "Q." At that time, fifty to sixty
books per year were receiving the rating, she estimated, and the basements
contained perhaps 1,200 "Q" books. The "Q" system was discontinued
during the 1980s.

The late 1970s and the 1980s saw an increase in patron freedom to
look at and check out controversial materials without consulting a librarian.
In November 1977, for example, the library lifted restrictions on nonfiction
books about homosexuality and no longer required patrons to ask at the
reference desk to use the books. This action prompted at least one letter to
a local newspaper complaining about the fact that these books were stored
out in the open among other nonfiction books. However, children younger
than fourteen still could not check out material on sexuality without the

^^Newsboard, Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County staff
newsletter (July 1964).

"*Dell Ford, "Library's 'Q' Shelves Have PG Restriction." Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, Aug. 10, 1973.

'^Dell Ford, "Library Shelves 'Q' Ratings Down Under," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, May 11, 1980.

236

permission of a parent of guardian. Fred Reynolds, who earlier had
commented that he did not care what people read, said the library did not
buy books with pictures of sexual acts.

In the 1980s, juvenile patrons gained more freedom in their reading
and studying practices when they no longer had to ask permission of a
librarian to use vertical files on the subjects of sex and homosexuality.

In 1982, the local branch of the conservative Eagle Forum was
encouraged by group founder Phyllis S. Schlafly to check the library's card
catalog to determine the balance of conservative versus liberal books.
Schlafly suggested that if local holdings of conservative materials proved
inadequate according to the group's standards, members ask libraries to
purchase particular conservative titles. Or the members were encouraged to
buy the titles themselves and donate them to the library. The Eagle Forum
gave the Allen County Public Library high marks for its extensive collection
of conservative books.

The Allen County Public Library has a procedure for the evaluation
of materials that patrons want removed from the institution's shelves.
Patrons are asked to complete a Materials Evaluation Form describing the
item and the nature of its offensiveness. The form includes space for
suggestions of alternate material on the same subject. Other comments are
encouraged. The library's Materials Evaluation Committee, consisting of the
library Director, the manager of the department holding the questionable
material, the division manager, and a collection development specialist,
reads and evaluates the material. The committee then mails a report
containing its decision to the patron who filed the complaint.

Targeted by a patron complaint in 1983 was a book titled Annie on
My Mind, which depicted "a homosexual relationship between two young
high school girls. "'^ A patron's request to have the book removed from the
library's shelves was denied, and the patron wrote a letter to a local
newspaper, quoting Library Director Rick J. Ashton as saying that "in a
large, diverse community such as Allen County, tastes and sensibilities vary.
What offends one person may entertain or instruct others."'^ Ashton noted
that the remark was taken out of context.

In 1985, a patron complained about Longarm in Virginia City, a
book in a series of westerns by Tabor Evans that included passages on the
sexual activities of its main character. In 1987, the book Safe Sex by John
Preston and Glenn Swann was the target of a patron complaint because it
discussed reducing the risk of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and

'^June Minick, "Children's Section Flaunts Pornography," letter to the
editor. Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Apr. 2, 1983.

•^Ibid.

237

the patron felt it promoted homosexuality. Two books were challenged in
1988, A Glimpse of Stocking by Elizabeth Gage and Threesomes: Studies in
Sex, Power and Intimacy by Arno Karlen. Both complaints dealt with sexual
content in the books. None of these books was removed from the shelves of
the public library. In 1989, Associate Director Steven Fortriede noted that
no book had been removed from the library shelves because of a patron
complaint in at least fifteen years.

In 1992, Sex by the pop singer Madonna drew widespread interest
and controversy. Sex was largely a book of nude photographs of the singer
and others. It had metal front and back covers, contained an audio compact
disk, and was sealed in a mylar wrapper. The Allen County Public Library
ordered two copies, one to be cataloged for patron perusal within the
library, and the other to remain sealed in its mylar wrapper. Krull explained
the decision to purchase the book in a staff memorandum: "We have decided
that a library of our size and scope should have a copy of it because it has
made such a splash in the publishing world, and will probably become some
kind of p)op culture icon and a collector's item,"'^ he said.

Both copies of Sex were to be housed in the Rare and Fine Book
Room for "security reasons," necessitating that a librarian deliver the book
upon a request for it from a patron. Anticipating patron complaints, Krull
made an exception to the library's collection development policy and
decided that the book would be available only to people eighteen and older.
The policy directs that: "The origin, age, background, or viewpoint of a
library user does not deny or abridge that person's right to full use of the
library."'' "I realize that this is a departure from our usual stance on
access to books, although we do restrict access to videos on the basis of
age," Krull said. "I also realize it runs contrary to ALA dogma, and that
some staff and patrons will not agree with my decision."^

Some misunderstanding surrounded the decision to place Madonna's
book in the Rare and Fine Book Room. The local media inferred that the
library required a patron to be engaged in scholarly research to use a book
from the room. In the case of rare or fragile works, patrons were asked to
use a photocopy rather than the original unless their research dictated that
they use the original. However, this procedure did not apply to most
materials in the Rare and Fine Book Room, including Sex. The November

'^Jeffrey R. Krull memo to all staff via managers re Madonna Book,
Allen County Public Library, Nov. 19, 1992.

''" Collection Development," Allen County Public Library policy.

^Jeffrey R. Krull memo to all staff via managers re Madonna Book,
Allen County Public Library, Nov. 19, 1992.

238 m

15th edition of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette poked fiin at the library
through an editorial cartoon depicting a female librarian saying to a patron,
"Yes, we have 'Sex' by Madonna, but unless you're prepared to prove
you're on a scholarly mission and not some perverted leering maggot, it'll
stay locked up in Rare Books, understood?"^'

Libraries, librarians, public officials, and the public were divided
nationally about whether Sex should be in the public library, whether it
should circulate, and whether minors should be allowed access. In Indiana,
the Indianapolis-Marion County Library did not purchase a copy of
Madonna's book because it was considered purely sensational, although the
system's Arts Director believed a copy should have been ordered. St. Joseph
County library officials saw Sex as a censorship issue and after holding
public meetings, purchased one copy for seven-day borrowing. The
Evansville- Vanderburgh Public Library did not purchase a copy of Sex
because the director saw it as "pure trash. "^^

Locally, Krull was right in his prediction that not all patrons and
staff would agree with his decision to restrict access to Sex to those eighteen
and older. One librarian asked that Krull rethink his position in light of the
fact that the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights
advocated free access to all library materials, regardless of the patron's age,
sex, race, or other identifying criteria. The memo also pointed out that
Merica Hoagland, a speaker at the dedication of the first public library
building in Fort Wayne described the mission of the public library in part
as "a deepening of knowledge ... asking no questions as to age, sex, social
standing or educational qualifications of its patrons. "^^ However, Krull
replied that times had changed from 1904 to 1992 and that public libraries
in the earlier year did not stock such things as Sex, the speaker's comments
were not relevant to the situation. He said he still believed sound his
decision to restrict access to Madonna's book.

Krull was correct in his assessment of early libraries. While Merica
Hoagland advocated free access to all library materials by all patrons, Judge
Robert S. Taylor at the same Carnegie library dedication noted that "not a
book finds a place on the shelves of our public library without the sanction

^'Lynch, "Yes, We Have 'Sex' by Madonna ...," editorial cartoon, Fort
Wayne Journal Gazette, Nov. 15, 1992.

^^Rebecca Buckman, "Local Libraries Not Sold on 'Sex,'" Indianapolis
Star, Dec. 31, 1992.

^^"Fort Wayne's Beautiful New Library Is Confided to the People."

239

of a library committee of critical and rigorous censors."^ Mayor Hemy
Berghoff explained further, "Trash should, however, be under all
circumstances, excluded Ifrom the shelves of the public library], for it is no
more the duty of the taxpaying community to furnish the people reading to
satisfy their passions, or for mere amusement, than it is to furnish them
tickets for theaters and other pastimes."^

Not only books have been affected by the censorship struggle within
the public library. Meeting rooms and programming also have been areas
of contention. In August 1975, library officials altered regulations for the
facility's meeting room. Banned from the public library were political
rallies, partisan events, religious services, evangelism meetings, meetings
of profit-oriented groups, and any gatherings which library officials
suspected would interfere with the normal operations of the library. In
August 1980, the Board of Trustees discussed allowing Theatre for Ideas,
an educational organization, to use the library's multi-purpose room for its
programs. One Board member expressed concern over the controversial
nature of some of the programs and wondered whether the library could
"exert control "^'^ over the presentations. Another board member noted that
the organization was a responsible one, and that the presentations were
controversial only because of the diverse nature of the Allen County
community. The programming was allowed.

Financial Concerns

At various times throughout the history of the local public library,
finances have been a particular concern of the administration, staff, and
Board of Trustees. Most notable of these times, perhaps, was during the
financial Depression of the 1930s. [See The Great Depression, Chapter 2. J
Even after the end of the Depression, however, methods of conservation
continued at the public library. During the 1940s, Fred J. Reynolds, then
Assistant Head Librarian, joined Head Librarian Rex Potterf in trips
throughout the Midwest as the two purchased all types of books at second-
hand stores to fill the library's shelves.

The late 1960s through the mid-1970s seem to have been a
particularly tight time for library finances because of inflation and frozen tax
rates. By 1968, a new public library building had been constructed in Fort
Wayne and Reynolds, by then Head Librarian, was concerned about the

^Ibid.
"Ibid.

^^Byron Spice, "Library to Host Theatre for Ideas," Fort Wayne 7o«r/w/
Gazette, Aug. 29, 1982.

240 •

effects of inflation. "The only cloud on the horizon which may impede the
continued growth and use of the public library system is the rapid rise of
inflation and the present statutory tax limit of 35 cents per $100 of assessed
valuation," he said. To that time, the Indiana General Assembly had been
unwilling to enact legislation permitting a higher tax levy. "We can only
hope for a healthy continued growth in the assessed valuation of real
property in Fort Wayne and/or some additional method of support other than
the property tax,"^^ Reynolds said. With the opening of the new building
came an increase in patronage, but Reynolds was hesitant to earmark library
funds for additional staff positions, hoping that "the current staff can about
take care of it,"^^ he said.

In February 1969, library officials considered withdrawing services
to elementary schools in the Fort Wayne Community Schools system unless
the current library tax rate was raised. Reynolds considered this the only
feasible way to cut library costs. "When times get tough, libraries are the
first in the municipality to feel the ax because we don't have a very strong
voice," Reynolds said. "If we're hurt bad, we could make a really dramatic
withdrawal (of library services) from the schools."^

The Allen County Tax Adjustment Board cut the Library
Improvement Reserve Fund from the budget in 1970, amounting to a loss
of about $135,000 from the city budget and $50,000 from the county
budget. Reynolds and Board of Trustees members agreed that the fund must
be reinstated in the 1971 budget if the system was to give serious
consideration to upgrading branch libraries. In 1971, a bill was passed by
the Indiana Legislature, vetoed by the governor, and reintroduced that
provided a forty-five-cent ceiling on library tax levies in the state - an eight-
cent increase above the current tax levy ceiling. By 1972, the wildly
spiraling prices of books and other materials reached a plateau, much to the
relief of local library administrators. "This is most welcome news,"
Reynolds said, "since the difficulty of obtaining adequate support for public

^^" Library Use Grows as Answer Center," Fort Wayne A^^vv^ Sentinel,
May 23, 1968.

^^"Library Board Considers Southeast Branch Site," Fort Wayne News
Sentinel, Aug. 27, 1968.

^^"Library Board Okays Retaining Consultants to Draft Branch Plan,"
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Nov. 25, 1969.

241

libraries is always very real."^

In 1973 and 1974, the energy crisis was being felt in the United
States. In September 1973, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County accepted the only fuel oil bill submitted for
that season, despite the fact that it represented nearly a fifty-percent increase
over the previous year's bid and included a provision that the quoted price
could be changed if the retail price of fuel oil changed.

In 1974, the library system again found itself in the tight spot
between spiraling inflation and a fixed tax rate. Earlier, an increase in the
minimum wage had been approved for high school and college workers, but
library officials believed the institution was exempt from paying the higher
rate. In mid- 1974, they found otherwise and had to pay back wages plus the
increase to these workers to avoid being in violation of the law. This
additional expenditure caused administrators to consider trimming library
services, reducing bookmobile operations, and/or decreasing the staff by ten
to fifteen workers. Reynolds expounded on the library's financial woes in
the 1974 annual report: "The chief problem facing the Fort Wayne Public
Library and all public libraries in Indiana, is adequate financing ... The
outlook for financing public libraries in Indiana is indeed bleak and
grim."^'

In 1976, the local library's financial situation began to improve as
the facility received $88,000, about one-tenth of an $800,000 appropriation
allotted to public libraries by the Indiana General Assembly. This money
was used to purchase books, microfilm, and other materials. "Gov. Bowen
finally realized with his tax package that libraries are caught in the
middle, "^^ Reynolds said. Indiana Governor Otis Bowen had created a tax
package under which libraries operated under a frozen tax rate. Because of
increased operating expenses, such as fiiel and electricity, as well as book
prices that had nearly doubled in five years' time, the local library's book
fund had remained $445,000 for three consecutive years before the General
Assembly's appropriation.

Partly because of the appropriation, Reynolds was able to speak in

^"Fred J. Reynolds, "From the Librarian," Seventy-Ninth Annual Report
of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County [1972], no page
numbers.

^'Fred J. Reynolds, "From the Librarian," Eighty-First Annual Report
of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County [1974], no page
numbers.

^^Nancy Laughlin, "Grant To Buy Books, Supplies," Fort Wayne
Journal Gazette, Mar. 23, 1976.

242 •

positive terms of the library's financial outlook for 1977. While officials of
other institutions were calling for financial relief and warning that services
would be trimmed, the local library was in the best fiscal condition it had
experienced in years. Besides the appropriation, the library had received an
increase in revenues from the bank tax and motor vehicle excise tax, and
assessed valuation of property in the city had increased more than
anticipated. Now the focus was on financing the construction of a new wing
to the crowded main library building, a move opposed by the local
Taxpayers Research Association. The Association appeared before the
Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners in March of 1977 to make its
opposition known and delay funding. The Fort Wayne News Sentinel
commented, "[The library] isn't the proper place to pinch pennies. "^^

Seven meetings were held across Indiana in 1980 to discuss how
inflation-stricken library budgets can threaten citizens' "freedom to know."
The issue also had been discussed at the 1978 state and 1979 national library
conferences. One proposed solution to the problem was to introduce
legislation that would increase state and federal funding of libraries, while
retaining local control. Citizens' opinions of the public library consistently
have been favorable, whether or not the facility garnered its share of local
monies. In 1988, in a News Sentinel survey, the Allen County Public
Library was rated number one among sixteen governmental and utility
services.

Through the early years of the 1990s, the financial pinch has been
felt in the area of inadequate numbers of employees. In March 1990, as a
strategic planning process for the library system began, one suggested
planning topic was "How do we set priorities when we're all busy?"
Although not enough staff may have been one of the biggest concerns at the
time of strategic planning, one of the pre-set assumptions of the process was
that staffing levels would not significantly increase. In fact, during the
summer of 1991, a hiring freeze went into effect, during which each
position that came open was evaluated before being filled. In a recap of the
highlights of the year 1992, Associate Director Steven Fortriede noted that
the average budget of libraries with circulations similar to that of the Allen
County Public Library was $3 or $4 million more.

The search has begun for alternate means of funding beyond the
budget, both for the library system as a whole, and for specialized
departments, such as Television Services and the Historical Genealogy
Department. In 1993, American City Bureau, a development organization,
conducted a survey to determine the feasibility of a library fiindraising
campaign. The resulting report indicated that the Allen County Public

^^"Library of Distinction," editorial. Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Mar.
3, 1977.

243

Library receives excellent support and is highly thought of by Allen County
residents, but that the library's needs probably would not be seen by most
people as compelling. Early in the decade, a granite slab with the names of
benefactors was erected in the lobby of the main library to honor the
donors, and to serve as inspiration to others who wished to donate to the
library. A strategy in the planning process of the early 1990s was to seek
private philanthropic support to establish and increase endowments and
finance appropriate capital needs and special projects.

One special project that was funded by a philanthropic organization
was the purchase of the 1920 Federal Population Census for the Historical
Genealogy Department's collection. The local Foellinger Foundation
provided a $250,000 grant for this major purchase in 1992. As the
department grew in the early 1990s, Manager Curt B. Witcher became
concerned that its reputation for excellence was in eminent danger because
of inadequate staffing. With an expansion in 1990, the department's paging
staff had to cover one hundred percent additional floor space when
delivering and collecting books. Summer paging staff was being decreased,
rather than increased. Although the numbers of items used and reference
questions answered in the department have continued to increase, staffing
levels have not. Additional paging hours granted the department for the
summer of 1993 were fewer than they had been in 1990. These situations
were the impetus behind the establishment in the early 1990s of the
Reynolds Society, an endowment society for the Historical Genealogy
Department.

Television Services was another area that was considered for
alternate funding during the early 1990s. It was made a strategy in the
planning process to secure funding from non-library sources to support
Channel 10, the citizen-access cable television station, and Channel 20, the
educational access television channel. In February 1993, Television Services
staff made a grant proposal to the Cable Television Program Advisory
Committee for money to replace equipment, provide new equipment, and
fund a staff position.

Crime

Crime in and around the area of the library has ranged from non-
return and mutilation of books, to an attack on a branch librarian, to the
shooting of a police officer in the street behind the main library. As early
as 1961, the library had on its payroll a security officer, but even earlier,
in 1940, a page was stationed at the library entrance to check all books and
periodicals as patrons left. This was because materials had been stolen in
numbers that could no longer be overlooked. Libraries in other Midwestern
cities, such as Gary, Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, Toledo,
Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, also were instituting book inspection.

Sometime after 1963, a second security officer for the library was

244 ^

hired, and a third was added to the staff in December 1967. In 1969, under
the direction of Head Librarian Fred Reynolds, the library adopted a "get
tough" policy against borrowers who failed to return books. Reynolds and
three other library staff members retrieved more than seven hundred
overdue books in two months following the introduction of the "get tough"
policy. In 1972, the library hired a collection agency, Trans-American
Collections, Inc., to collect overdue books and fines. At that time,
administrators estimated that $17,000 to $18,000 worth of books were
missing from the library. About $15,000 worth were subsequently retrieved.

In 1977, library officials used small claims court to collect
delinquent fines and fees, and experienced one hundred percent success, as
compared to eighty-seven percent success through letters, telephone calls,
and visits to offending patrons in 1976. Concern about theft of expensive
audiovisual materials led to the installation of a Knogo electronic security
gate at the entrance to Art, Music and Audiovisual Services when the
department moved to its new location in 1989.

In 1993, theft of materials remained a concern at the public library.
It was suggested that tour guides be informed of what not to say during
tours that would allow potential thieves to subvert the security measures
taken by the library. The Library Materials Security Group came into being
in 1993, but was concerned mainly with the theft of items from staff areas
and to a lesser extent, public areas. "Basically, all staff have available to
them the opportunity for theft and misappropriation of library materials," the
Library Materials Security Group concluded.^ Also in 1993, the process
of sending a courier to patrons' homes to retrieve overdue material was
revived.

Vandalism was a problem at library agencies during the 1970s. In
May of 1972, the library hired a security guard to watch the construction
site of Georgetown Branch on weekend nights because of vandalism. In
1973 and 1974, an $850 window was broken at Georgetown Branch,
extensive damage was done to toilets at Pontiac Branch, and vandalism at
Shawnee Branch led to construction of a fence to protect the building. The
library bough glass insurance at a cost of $562 for the main library and an
additional amount for branches.

Concerns for the physical security of staff and patrons have become
increasingly serious in the most recent three decades of the library's
existence. In December 1976, a Pontiac Branch librarian was attacked and
her purse stolen while she worked at the branch. In 1982, a man suspected
of robbing a nearby service station and shooting the station attendant was
arrested in the main library. He had knocked on a locked door and was

^Library Materials Security Group meeting minutes, Allen County
Public Library, Jan. 7, 1993.

245

allowed in by a library employee when he, too, claimed he worked at the
library. He dashed through the reference area and tried to hide among the
book stacks, but was apprehended by the police.

In the 1990s, purse-snatching and incidence of cars being broken
into and vandalized in the staff parking lots has meant that security
precautions have become even more tight. In 1991, the library began
stationing a security officer and vehicle with a yellow flashing light in the
staff parking lot at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard each evening at
closing. In late 1992, it was announced that the Fort Wayne Police
Department would update a security review of the main library. Although
the number of break-ins did not place the library in a high incidence
category by Fort Wayne Police Department definition, library officials
decided to hire uniformed, off-duty local police at random times to patrol
the parking lots. In July 1993, a man pulled over by police on Ewing Street
west of the library shot an officer and tried to flee. The off-duty police
officer working as security in the adjacent library staff parking lot, shot and
killed the suspect as he tried to drive away.

Since 1992, Technical Services has used minimal staff at night and
kept the doors to the department locked. Concern for Security Services and
Housekeeping Services staff overnight, when the library was closed, led to
reminders to staff to keep the door to the staff entrance closed at all time
and to require visitors coming through that door to sign in and sign out. At
the 1993 Staff Day, Sergeant Bill Atkinson of the Police Athletic League
presented a personal safety and self-defense class. Two additional sessions
of the lecture were presented after many staff members indicated that they
would like their children to hear the information.

Modern Issues

Issues library officials have faced in recent years have included:

Fee-based information services. The image of a public library
includes offering services to its patrons without charge. The idea of charging
for services - beyond photocopies - is foreign and somewhat distastefiil to
many public library administrators and employees. Yet online computer
searches, fax services, computer paper for extensive printouts, the purchase
of equipment for loan, replacement of videotapes, and other such services
and materials can be very expensive to libraries.

If a decision is made to charge patrons for certain services or
materials, the next question that arises is: for what does the library charge?
This was suggested as a discussion topic when the Allen County Public
Library began its strategic planning process in the early 1990s. Suggestions
of possible fee-based services included fax services, online searches,
equipment loans, videotape loans, and in-depth reference services. The
resulting draft of the strategic plan called for studying the feasibility of

246 •

offering a fee-based information service for clients desiring customized
research and extensive information beyond the scope of normal reference

The library's service community. People living within the
boundaries of Allen County, Indiana, may get a library card at no charge
and check out circulating materials at the main Allen County Public Library
or any of its branches. They may use reference materials in the main library
and its branches. They may attend programs, and are given tours. However,
some patrons do not live within the boundaries of the arbitrary taxable area
of Allen County. These include Huntington, Whitley, Noble, Wells, and
DeKalb County residents who live closer to Fort Wayne than to their own
county seat libraries; people from the surrounding counties or northwestern
Ohio who need to use the resources of a large city library; out-of-county
students from Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne; and the
thousands of genealogists who travel to Fort Wayne annually to use the
nationally-known Historical Genealogy Department.

A concern of library officials is that these patrons, who do not pay
the property taxes that support the local library, are a drain on its resources
and staff time, lowering the quality of service for those who do pay Allen
County taxes. It was suggested during the strategic planning process of the
early 1990s to eliminate tours for non- Allen County groups.

Interlibrary loan, within the Fort Wayne and Allen County system,
began in the 1920s after the advent of county library service. County
residents had "the privilege of borrowing books of unusual interest or those
on special subjects from the large resources of the Public Library of Fort
Wayne and Allen County."^' Any circulating volume in its collection was
available to be borrowed and was delivered to the library or person
requesting it. Currently through this service patrons in other locations may
borrow materials from the Allen County Public Library by applying for the
materials at their own home libraries. In June 1965, the Public Library of
Fort Wayne and Allen County was among an original group of libraries in
twenty-one cities and four universities to receive a teletype machine to
process interlibrary loan requests. A concern about the service is that large
libraries do most of the lending. Their collections reflect the higher use
through materials more quickly worn out, missing items, and items not
available to their own local patrons when needed. As early as November
1966, the local library was "a great lender but not much of a borrower, "^^

^^"Equal Book Privileges for the Farm Home and the City Home."

^^Carol Heyn, "Loan Requests from Other States, Colleges Filled Here,"
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, Nov. 25, 1966.

247

according to the heads of the Reference Department and Inter-Library
Project.

In 1979, the Board of Trustees decided not to apply for a grant of
$10,300, which would have been used to fund a reciprocal borrowing
agreement, but in 1981, the Board approved such an agreement. Many
Indiana libraries participated in the reciprocal borrowing arrangement,
through which patrons with library cards from participating libraries could
use the services of other participating libraries. This included the privilege
of borrowing books. It was hoped that reciprocal borrowing would reduce
the cost in staff time of interlibrary loan. In 1992, this reciprocal system
was discontinued because of legislation that initiated a new system - the
Public Library Access Card (PLAC). Patrons could purchase a PLAC at
their home libraries and use it in any public library in the state. This
program has caused concern among some library officials who feel it may
be a drain on the resources of large libraries, while again, the patrons who
use this service do not pay local property taxes.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Probably the most
publicized disease of the last half of the 20th Century has been Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In 1991, the Allen County Public
Library issued a policy on the employment of people with AIDS. It
expressed a "continuing commitment to provide employment for those
employees with life threatening diseases, including but not limited to heart
disease, cancer or AIDS, as long as they are deemed medically fit and are
able to meet acceptable performance standards. "^^ If another employee
refused to work with someone who had AIDS, the healthy employee would
be encouraged to apply for another job through the library's normal
employment procedure.

"Allen County Public Library Policy, AIDS, May 23, 1991.

Chapter 6
People

staff Issues

It is the policy of the Allen County Public Library to provide equal
employment opportunity to all applicants and employees ... All personnel
decisions and practices, such as recruitment, hiring, promotion,
compensation, training, discipline, and privileges of employment are
administered without regard to age, race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, sex, handicap, marital status or veteran status of applicants and
employees.

Issues concerning the staff of the Allen County Public Library over
the years have included pay rates, staff numbers, benefits, and staff
activities, as well as educational and training opportunities and
professionalization. Public service also has been of primary concern to
employees. As early as 1923, "the customer is always right" seemed to
describe the facility's public service attitude. "It must be remembered that
the public pays for salaries and has the right to complain of what they [sic]
consider unsatisfactory of inadequate service," the 1923 staff handbook said.
"The public judges by appearance rather than by facts and a good library
worker's attitude is to think of the public first and her personal rights
afterwards."'

Programs and Activities. From 1923 to 1933, library staff
participated in monthly programs with speakers or specified topics for
discussion. A Programming Committee to plan these events was selected
each year. These programs were similar to today's Staff Day format, in that

'"General Staff Instructions: Public Library [of] Fort Wayne and Allen
County (Fort Wayne, Ind.: 1923), 7.

249

250

some cx)nceraed librarianship topics, while others were about travel,
recreation, finances, crafts, and other unrelated subjects. Often one or two
programs per year on current events were given by a reference librarian.
Staff social events also took place each year, such as picnics, festivals, and
parties. Between meetings, and some years as meetings, were bridge games
and tournaments. The staff also had Christmas decoration and restroom
committees during the 1920s and 1930s.

In 1928, the Library Book Club began for staff, with the purpose
of promoting the reading of new books. Members paid dues and could
borrow one book at a time. Monthly, each member submitted a list of three
books desired for the collection.

Recent staff activities have included the annual holiday party,
sponsorship of a low-income "Christmas family," a bowling event,
occasional outings to Chicago Cubs baseball games, participation in the
annual United Way campaign, and blood drives. During the library's fiscal
year from mid- 1988 to mid- 1989, Allen County Public Library employees
donated forty-nine pints of blood. An all-staff Halloween potluck took place
in 1989, complete with a program of holiday storytelling. A Mardi Gras
potluck luncheon took place in 1992. In the early 1990s, the library
attempted a paper recycling program with mixed results. Soon after it was
initiated, certain types of paper became unprofitable to recycle. In addition,
recycling proved inconvenient for some staff, as taking the materials to bins
located in other areas of the library interrupted their work flow.

In 1993, Art After Hours was an exhibit in the main library of art
work created by librarians who lived or worked in Allen County. Many of
these, although not all, were employees of the public library. That summer,
the ACPL joined Parkview Memorial Hospital and the YMC A in an exercise
program promoting fitness for employees.

The first Staff News Letter of the Public Library was published in
October 1923. This soon became Library Leaves, which was published
quarterly and contained items of interest from various departments and
branches. In 1924, the Quarterly Booklist was published. Library Bulletin
was a staff publication that began in 1925, and School Library Bulletin and
County Chats began in 1926. In 1927, Library and the Child was published
by the staff. Newsboard was the staff newsletter published during the late
1960s and eariy 1970s. During the 1980s and 1990s, staff publications
included Online Searching News, Bookends, The Interface, Hot News from
the Mouth of the Dragon (later Dragon News), NewPros, ProVideo, ProArt,
and Person to Person. This last newsletter is written by Director Jeffrey
Krull.

Salaries and Working Hours. The Great Depression of the 1930s
caused financial strain in many arenas connected with the public library. In
1930, combined salaries and janitors' wages totaled $84,780.85. By 1936,

251

combined salaries and janitors' wages had been cut neariy in half from their
1930 level, to $42,879.71. From 1931 to 1934, salary appropriations
gradually reduced. In 1933, six cities with populations similar to that of Fort
Wayne were surveyed, and American Library Bulletin reported that although
staff members of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen County
ranked highest in the number of working hours, they were fifth of the six
in salary levels. Budget cuts in 1934 were blamed for the discharge often
librarians. The conditions of salaries and working hours had not improved
by 1937, according to the Citizen's Library Committee, which reported that
salaries of librarians in Fort Wayne had been cut more than those of any
other librarians in the state. In addition, staff hours were the longest of any
Indiana city of the size of Fort Wayne, the Committee said. Salary increases
for staff generally have been in the range of two to six percent. Currently,
all staff usually receive the same percentage of increase, however during the
mid-1970s, the Board of Trustees allowed Fred Reynolds to issue increases
based on merit. Some examples of salary levels follow:

• Starting salary of Head Librarian or Director: Rex Potterf in
1935, $3,200 per year; Rick Ashton in 1980, $29,500 per year; Jeffrey
Krull in 1986, $53,000 per year. Fred Reynolds' starting salary in 1960 is
unknown, but he received an increase from $23,500 to $24,600 in 1972.

• Salaries in 1956: maintenance, $38 to $50 per month; other staff,
$135 to $725 per month; hourly wages, $1 to $2.25 per hour.

• Salaries in 1988: Director, $58,500; assistant director, $45,145;
department heads, $24,300-$36,500; professionals, $ll,700-$40,000;
clerical, $9,900-$22,000; pages, $9, 900-$ 15, 000.

• Salaries in 1991: Associate Director, $40,000-$58,000; senior
managers, $35,000-$48,000; department and large branch managers,
$30,000-$42,000; department assistant managers, $25,600-$35,000; mid-
sized branch managers, large branch assistant managers and librarians,
$24,000-$33,000; paraprofessional librarians and small branch managers,
$17,060-$25,500;clerks and assistants, $1 3, 790-$21, 500; clerks. Genealogy
pages and security officers, $12,730-$ 18, 720; shelvers, housekeepers and
check-in attendants, $11, 220-$ 16,000.

• Salaries in 1993: Associate Director, $42,848-$63,003; senior
managers, $37,710-$51,875; department and large branch managers,
$32,136-$45,489; department assistant managers , $26,665-$36,836; mid-
sized branch managers, large branch assistant managers and librarians,
$24,960-$34,694; paraprofessional librarians and small branch managers,
$17,763-$26,832; clerks and various assistants, $14,372-$22,651; clerks.
Genealogy pages and security officers, $13,270-19,697; shelvers,
housekeepers and check-in attendants, $11,689-17,347.

Allen County Public Library pay ranges currently are considered
about average for the Midwest. For some positions they are slightly above
average, for others slightly below. A goal of the strategic plan for the

252 •

library system for 1992 to 1997 was to offer competitive compensation and
benefits based on surveys of national and local labor markets as appropriate.

Benefits. In 1923, every library assistant who had worked for
twelve consecutive months was entitled to four weeks of vacation with pay.
Those who had worked fewer than twelve months received two working
days of paid vacation for each month of service. In these early days and
through at least the late 1960s, staff members were required to take their
vacations during certain times. In 1923, the vacation period was from June
1 through September 15. Staif in the 1920s had the benefit of returning
overdue books without being charged fines, and they were allowed one hour
per week to read worthwhile magazines.

In April 1969, the Board of Trustees agreed to pay fifty percent of
the premium for employees then enrolled in a Blue Cross-Blue Shield
insurance program. A retirement fiind also was in place at that time. The
percentage of staff insurance premiums paid by the library increased in 1970
from $4.27 to $6.53 of an $8.53 policy. In May 1972, Fred Reynolds
proposed to staff a three and a half percent pay increase instead of a five
percent increase, with the added benefit of a paid Lincoln Life insurance
program for employees. By 1974, staff could use Medical Information
Service as a benefit of their group insurance, which included a complete
physical examination and interpretation of tests for $30. In 1992, the
Professional Health Plan insurance program offered free stop-smoking
classes to its members, including library staff.

An employee assistance program began in 1992, through which staff
members with emotional distress, financial difficulty, marital or family
stress, substance abuse problems, or other concerns could meet in
confidence with counselors at a local resource consultation and counseling
firm.

In 1993, the library's health insurance carrier. Professional Health
Plan decreased its reimbursement plan for some medical procedures from
one hundred percent to eighty percent. Library officials then began a
program of reimbursing employees for the non-covered twenty percent of
previously fiilly covered procedures. The same year, an optional term life
insurance program was offered to staff.

Staff Numbers. In 1921, the library staff numbered one Head
Librarian and twenty-five assistants. By 1949, seventy-five to eighty people
were employed by the library, some part-time. Thirty were professional
librarians who had one or more college degrees in library training. In 1933,
the staff consisted of a Head Librarian, an Assistant Head Librarian, three
department heads, six branch librarians, four catalogers, the children's
librarian, a bookmobile librarian, a Record Room librarian, a young adults'
librarian, nine sub-professional assistants, thirty-four clerical assistants.

253

fourteen building staff, and eleven other staff members. In 1956, the library
employed approximately 130 people.

In 1956, library employees, not including building, maintenance,
and Print Shop personnel and deli very men, could be divided into three fairly
even categories of professional employees, typists, and clerical workers
other than typists. It was difficult to maintain a full staff through the mid-
1960s because Fort Wayne had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the
nation. Professional staffing levels remained fairly steady, but clerks and
typists often left the library for the higher pay of working on the industrial
assembly lines.

By 1964, the number of staff had increased to 165. In about 1968,
there were 184 total staff members, including 165 fulltime equivalents, and
in 1972, 151 fulltime employees.

The mid-1970s saw a decrease in the number of staff members
because of financial conditions. Eighteen were released in 1974. In 1976,
after consistent reductions in staff size and the promise to trim about six
more positions by the end of the year, Reynolds noted that public services
had not been cut, but that some behind the scenes work had been eliminated.
Reynolds also said there was no intention to hire additional staff in
conjunction with the opening of the wing of the main library that was under
construction.

Despite staff cuts in the 1970s, by 1982, the library system
employed two hundred people. In 1983, the number of staff was recorded
at 225 fulltime and part time workers. In 1986, staff numbered 253. In
1988, the number had decreased to about 232 total employees. Currently the
library employs about 315 staff throughout the system.

One goal of the strategic plan created for the library system for
1992 through 1997 was to analyze the allocation of staff among departments
and agencies using appropriate workload measurement techniques, such as
those developed by the American Library Association.

Educational Opportunities. Beginning during Rex Potterf s tenure
as Head Librarian, the staff of the Public Library of Fort Wayne and Allen
County gradually was professionalized. In 1935, the staff included many
well-experienced librarians, and salaries of employees were based on
experience and training.

Since at least the 1960s, staff members' expenses have been paid on
some occasions when they traveled to workshops and conferences. Through
the late 1960s and eariy 1970s, for example, these educational forays that
were wholly or partially reimbursed by the library included American
Library Association conferences in San Francisco and Atlantic City; a
Purdue University seminar on the teenager; a district library meeting in
Kendall ville; a budget clinic in Goshen; an Indiana Library Association
meeting in Elkhart; a local workshop for teachers and librarians who worked

254 •

with the mentally retarded; and a seminar for Hoosier library trustees and
librarians.

Staff Development Day, or Staff Day as it is currently known,
began in the late 1980s. On this day each year, the library closes and
employees participate in workshops and training sessions on various topics.
Some relate directly to library work, while others are unrelated. The 1991
Staff Day included an employee health fair, for example. Traditionally, the
Friends of the Library provide financial support for this day.

Since the 1960s, the library has given support in various ways to
staff members who pursue their master's degree in library science. In 1967,
the Board of Trustees granted two extra weeks of paid vacation to
employees who agreed to attend summer school to earn credit toward their
MLS degrees. This occurred again in 1970. In 1989, the Friends of the
Allen County Public Library established a tuition support program, through
which staff members were partially reimbursed for their tuition and books
costs for MLS classes. The Friends allotted $10,000 per year for this
program.

Staff inservice meetings take place irregularly and are a forum for
employees to share information about little-known materials in their
respective departments, or to hear from a local official about information
and materials available elsewhere, for patron referral.

Employees may increase their knowledge of the many areas of
librarianship by using the Professional Library, located in the main library's
subbasement. Also called the "Sub Station," this collection of materials
includes books, journals, and videotapes on subjects such as collection
development, online searching, automation, reference service, personnel and
management, promotional ideas, children's and young adults' programming,
patron-staff interactions, and more. Staff members may use the materials
inhouse or check them out.

Three staff newsletters, NewPros, ProVideo, and ProArt are
circulated to keep staff up-to-date on new materials in the Professional
Library. NewPros contains reviews of new books, ProVideo contains
reviews of videocassettes in the collection, and ProArt announces exhibits
of art created by staff members and displayed in the area. These rotating
exhibits of staff art began in 1992.

Miscellaneous. In 1980, the Board of Trustees voted to allow
library employees to work until age seventy, although they still had the
privilege of retiring at age sixty-five with full benefits.

In 1983, the library participated in the Business Assisted Summer
Employment Program, sponsored by Lincoln National Corporation. Through
the program, the library hired five highly-motivated, economically-deprived
high school students for the summer.

255

Present & Former Staff
of the Allen County Public Library

Having started as a "page " then becoming a clerical worker enabled me to
appreciate the contribution of all employees in the institution. I was
fortunate to end my career as director, but all facets of work, clerical -
semi-professional - professional, working together build an efficient
institution. - Robert H. Vegeler, 1993.

The following is a list of people who have worked for the Allen
County Public Library and its previous incarnations. The list is as
comprehensive as possible, but since complete official records of this type
do not exist, it is inevitable that some names have been excluded.
Conversely, some individuals may be listed in this record twice, particularly
women who were married during their tenure with the library system. An
attempt has been made to eliminate duplication by alphabetizing women by
their married names, followed by their first, middle and maiden names, if
known, for example: Lisa M. Reynolds, who became Lisa M. Wolfcale can
be found under Wolfcale, Lisa M. Reynolds. More than a few of the names
on this list were found spelled differently from one source to another, and
duplication may have occurred because of these spelling variations.

This record has been compiled from early personnel pay records,
Personnel Services card files and Rolodex, staff newsletters, personnel
directories, newspaper articles, and any other sources listing names of
library employees. When available, an abbreviation for the department or
branch and the time period of employment have been included. In many
cases, the source consulted listed only partial dates, so those included should
be used as a guideline, rather than a complete record of employment. Dates
with a hyphen before them (i.e., -1985) mean that the employee worked at
the library previous to the year cited. Dates with a hyphen following them
(i.e., 1992-) mean that the employee currently works for the library. Many
employees worked at different agencies during their tenure at the library.
These have been listed when they were included in the sources consulted,
but this category is not complete for many of the names.

Abbreviations for library agencies included in the staff list follow:

ABT/Aboite Branch BIB/Bibliographer

ACQ/ Acquisitions Services BKM/Bookmobile

ADM/ Administration BOM/Branch Operations

AMV/Art, Music & Audiovisual BUS/Business & Technology

Services BSP/Business Specialist

AR/Arts & Recordings CAR/Carpenter

ARC/ Areola CAT/Cataloging Services

256

cm/Children's Services
CO/County Department
CR/Children's Room
CSC/Children's Services

Coordinator
CMR/Community Relations
DIR/Director's Office
DPT/Dupont Branch
EXT/Extension Department
PC/Fax Central
FIN/Financial Services
GD/Govemment Documents
GEN/Historical Genealogy

Department
GEO/Georgetown Branch
HAR/Harlan Branch
HKP/Housekeeping Services
HS/High School Branch
HSC/Hessen Cassel Branch
HUN/Huntertown Branch
IDL/Interdepartmental Librarian
J/Janitor
LEO/Leo Branch
LTL/Little Turtle Branch
MAI/Circulation Services
MAU/Maumee Branch
MNT/Maintenance Services
MON/Monroeville Branch
MP/Mechanical Processing
MR/Mail Room
NWH/New Haven Branch
NS/Northside Branch
NSHS/North Side High School

Branch
OPS/Operations
ORD/Order Department
ORS/Outreach Services
PER/Periodicals

PGO/Planned Giving Officer
PNL/Personnel Services
PON/Pontiac Branch
PRN/Printing Services
PRP/Properties
PRS/Processing Services
PSl/ Periodical Source Index
PUB/Publicity Department
PUR/Purchasing
RB/Records for the Blind
RE A/Readers' Services
REF/Reference Department
RIC/Richardville Branch
RR/Record Room
SB/Switchboard
SCH/School Department
SEC/Security Services
SHW/Shawnee Branch
SL/Supplemental Librarian
SPS/Support Services
SS/Southside Branch
SSHS/South Side High School

Branch
STO/Circulation Storage
SYS/Systems Office
TB/Talking Books
TC/Telecommunication Center
TEC/Tecumseh Branch
TP/Technical Processing
TSS/Technical Services
TVS/Television Services
VOL/Volunteer Services
WAYAVaynedale Branch
WDBAVoodbum Branch
TRI/WVTA (Tri-Alsa)
X/Xerox

YAR/Young Adults' Room
YAS/Young Adult Services

Abbott, James Scott - TC, 1982
Abbott, Leslie Joan - MAI, 1981
Abbott, Nancy Kay - 1972
Abdulhadi, Fadia - YAS, 1989-
Abdulhadi, Nashaat
Abesanus, Pio Angel
Abies, Warren Hoyd - MNT, 1965
Abrams, Betty Jean

Abrams, Susan Michelle - STO, 1992

Abrar, Khanzada Shakil - MAI, 1970-73

Acierto, Ronald A.

Acuna, Dorothy Ann Canady - TP, 1954-55

Adams, Charlotte LuAnna - TEC, 1982-83

Adams, Elizabeth - 1927

Adams, Ethel Jane/Jean - YAR, 1967

Adams, Howard Ronald - SEC, 1982-84

Adams, Jeanne/Joanne Dorothy - TP, 1972

Adams, Joyce Ann - 1958

Adams, Judy - 1953

Adams, Lois - 1943

Adams, Mark L. - SEC, 1991-93

Adams, Rebecca - A-Team, 1992

Adams, Robert Edwin - 1959

Adams, Shirley Lee - 1967

Adams, Vema - 1954

Adams, Virginia - 1946-47

Adang, Mark - HKP, 1994-

Ade, Melissa M.

Ade, SaUy M. - SEC, 1991-94

Aerni, Esta NeU - 1949-55

Aeschliman/Aschliman, James Orville - 1982

Ahmed, Syed Hussain - MAI-X-CR, 1969-74

Ahner, Jacob - J, 1931-32

Airgood, Danya/Dayna Dee - 1984

Airgood, Nia J.

Airgood, Tricia A.

Ake, DeUa - MAI, TEC, 1928-41

Alberding, Linda K. - PRS, 1990-

Albers, Daniel John - 1978

Alberts, JuUa - 1954

Albright, Renee L.

Akorn, MicheUe S. - HSC, 1992-93

Aldred, Beatrice - 1952

Aldrete, Irene C. - PRS, 1991-

Aldrich, Elizabeth - 1944-45

Alexander, Karla Kay - NWH, 1991-93

Alexander, Kim L. - ABT, 1990-91

Alexander, Lillian - 1952

Alexander, Rusty E., Jr. - MAI, 1991

Alfeld, Mildred Agnes - MNT, 1978-80

Allan, Karen Jean - 1956

Allen, Dianne - 1956

AUen, Durward - CR, 1928-29

Alien, Kyra Rolanda

AUen, Lewis, Jr. - MNT, 1975-76

Allen, Lynda Marie Pfaehler - GD, 1983-84

Allen-Devine, April - CAT-AMV, 1988-

AUes, Chen Lee - MAI, 1969-70

Allmandinger, Marilyn Joan - EXT-MAI

-REAATB, 1954-
Alh-ed, Karen Rae - REF, 1974-77
Altman, Barbara - 1949
Alvarez, John David - 1974
Alverson, Clarence Dale - 1953-55
Alverson, Mary - 1953-54
Alwine, Pamela R.

Amelung, Carolyn Lillian - TP, 1964-67
Amormi, Matthew A. - STO, 1994-

Amstutz, Allen William - 1967-68
Amstutz, Bradley J. - GEO, 1994-
Amstutz, Coyita Clare - GEN, 1964
Amstutz, Florence Viola - EXT, 1957-67
Anders, Karin Rae Bradtmiller - PRN-TP,

1972-77
Anders, Mary Jeanette - TEC, 1981
Anderson, Ann/ Anne - EXT-MAI, 1967-74
Anderson, Ann Marie - BKM, 1983-84
Anderson, Annabelle - 1953-74
Anderson, Christine L.
Anderson, GUbert W. - 1953-54
Anderson, Jacquelyn - TEC, 1977-80
Anderson, James M. - GEN, 1973-74
Anderson, Marion - 1948
Anderson, Mark Stephen - 1982
Anderson, Natalie Frances - GEN, 1973-74
Anderson, Robert Charles II - 1977
Anderson, Tim A.
Anderson, Zama - 1945-46
Andorfer, Corina Roxane Pena - GD-SB,

1981-83
Andrews, Michael - BUS, 1983
Andrews, Sarah - 1953-54
Andrews, Susan Marie - RR-REF-PUR, 1975-
Andrews, Tambra Irene - 1977
Angel, Linda E.

Anguiano/Angulano, Adolph C. - STO, 1991
Ankenbruck, Paula Jean - GEO, 1981
Ankenbruck, Sharman D. - 1984
Antil, Patricia Mary - 1959-61
App, David - BKM, 1937
Arbogast, Sylva M. - TP, 1953-65
Archer, Eric Hadley - MAI, 1983
Archer, Hazel C./Jane - 1948-55
Archer, Stephanie May - 1984
Archer, William A. - 1946
Archibald, Ruth - 1947
Arkk, Bonnie
Arkk, Davis - 1947
Arick, Ronalyn Sue - 1964
Armorini, Matt - STO, 1994
Armstrong, Mary Josephine- 1947-51
Arnette, Louie H. - 1952
Arney, Pattie Diane - LTL, 1966-67
Arnold, Cynthia Suzanne - GEN-MAI, 1963

-74
Arnold, Daniel Thomas - MAI, 1972-73
Arnold, Elizabeth Ann - 1961
Arnold, Gladys C. - 1927-30
Arnold, Lisa Marie - 1979-80
Arnold, Paul T. - 1978

258

Arnoldy, Cathleen Mary - DIR-VOL, 1981

-87
Arntz, Andrew J. - STO, 1993
Arthur, Teresa J. - HAR, 1994
Arthur, Wendy MicheUe - REA, 1983
Ash, Carmen
Ashe, Bemice - 1947
Ashe, Steven Raymond - 1970
Ashley, Gregory Allen - HKP, 1983
Ashton, Rick James - DIR, 1977-85
Asies, Norma J. - 1953
Asimakopoulos, Anna Marie - 1948-49
Astatike, Alem
Attarwala, Abbasi S. - 1974
Atwood, Timothy Ray - 1984
Auabe, Jean E. - 1984
Aughinbaugh, Merle - 1944
Auld, Edith - 1947-49
Auld, Jean - 1953-54
Aumann, Dorothy - TEC, 1935
Austin, James Oliver - MAI, 1981-82
Austin, Larry Kent - BUS, 1964-65
Aven, Lauralee - RR/AR-GEO, 1967-77
Avery, Mary Margaret - EXT, 1959-72
Avins, Wesley D. - MAI-GEN-BUS, 1961-83
Ayabe, Jean E.
Ayers, Cheryl Ann - 1979-80
Ayers, Norman E.
Azar, Laura Ruth - 1967
Azar, Vicki Lynn - 1977
Baach, Gwyneth L.
Baaty, WUmer - 1935-39
Babcock, Barbara - 1949
Bachand, SteUa - 1948-49
Bachle, John Vincent - AMV, 1983
Backs, Edna Mary - EXT-WAY, 1959-82
Backus, Lucia I. - GEN, 1974-74
Bacon, Connie Jo Webster - EXT, 1966
Bade, EUzabeth - BUS, 1967
Baer, Lorraine - 1953
Bahls, Brenda - STO, 1992
Bailer, Doris - 1959
Bailey, Curtis Frazier - PON, 1972-80
Bailey, Gary E.

Bailey, Harley Edward - 1959-63
Bailey, Marsha Diane - 1974
Bailey, Michael A. - HKP, 1994-
Bailor, Susanna - 1930-32
Bair, Annis Maxine Leavill - TP, 1961-68
Bair, Deborah C.

Bair, EUzabeth M. - MAI, 1993-

Baird, Esther A. - 1931-33

Bakalar, Ruth - 1943

Baker, Cathy Edwain - HKP, 1991

Baker, Daniel E.

Baker, Kirk Steven

Baker, Linda Suzanne - TC, 1980-82

Baker, Lois - 1943-46

Baker, Mary Margaret Hibler - GEN-MR-PSI,

1988-
Baker, Mary Louise - 1946
Baker, Michael - ABT, 1994-
Baker, Nila Marie - HKP, 1990-
Baker, Penny E. - WAY, 1982-
Baker, SteUa F. - YAS, 1993-
Baldwin, Jean - 1943-52
BaU, George Michael - REF, 1965
BaU, Kim R.
Bail, Michael
BaU, WiUiam M.
Ballard, Peggy Jean Turner - BKM-ORS,

1978-
Balser, Cynthia A. - MAI, -1991
Baltes, Sharon - 1944
Baltimore, Josephine Shelton - MAI, 1982
Baltimore, Keith - STO, 1993
BandeUer, Delores Mae - EXT-MAI-TP,

1955-
Bandelier, Elaine - 1955
Bandelier, Maxine - TP, 1967
Bandy, Robert G. - 1944
Banker, Ruth

Banks, Alisa C. - STO, 1988
Banks, Amy Louise - 1968
Banks, Diane - 1948
Banks, Martha Joan - 1965
Bankson, Eleanor - 1948
Banning, Betty M. - 1955
Barchelt/Borchelt, Lucille - 1943-44
Barker, Jonathan D. - MAI, 1994-
Barker, Tana L. - MAI, 1991
Bark)w, Elaine - 1947-48
Barnes, Andre L. - HKP, 1994
Barnes, Deborah Louise - 1980-81
Barnes, James Edward - 1958-60
Barnes, Mary Jo Lambert - LTL, 1956-73
Barnes, Virginia - 1951
Barnhart, Frederick D. - Circa 1983
Barr, Laurie Ellen - SB-STO, 1980-82
Barrand, Joel S. - MAI, 1993-

259

Barrett, Barbara - LTL, 1980-

Barrett, Earl Tracy - 1972

Barrett, LuciUe Ann - 1959-61

Bartels, Michele Blair - MAI, 1968-70

Barth, Gertrude - NS-SS, 1921-23

Bartholomew, Jane - CR-MAI-CAT, 1935-42

Bartling, Carl - GD, 1983

Bartz, Richard - 1947-49

Barya, Alice Anne - MAI, 1986-

Bashore, Donald Shger - MNT, 1979-81

Bassett, Frank - MNT, 1968-75

Bassett, Kristen - AMV, 1994

Bastian, Lora Marie - CHI, 1984

Batdorf, Gwendolyn Lucille - EXT, 1966-70

Bates, AngeUque - YAS-GEO-SHW, 1991-93

Bates, Roy - 1966

Batten, Aaron/Chad - STO, 1994-

BatUe, Meaghan M. - CHI, 1994-

Bauer, Chris A.

Bauermeister, Mildred - 1943

Baughman, Mary Ruth - RR, 1977-80

Baulkey, Howard Neil - BKM, 1977-79

Baulkey, Ruth Lehman - 1962-63

Bauman, Karen Jean - TP, 1972-73

Bauman, Philip Andrew - AR, 1972-77

Bauserman, James Scott - MAI, 1983

Bausser, Janet Jane/Jayne - TP, 1967-73

Bax, Constance Christine - 1978

Bay, Patti Virginia - GEN, 1978-79

Bayes, Lowell Dale - 1959

Beacham, Teresa/Theresa Ann - REA, 1982

Beaman, Gracia - 1950-52

Bean, Ronald Olen - YAR-BUS, 1966-79

Bearman, Kent A. - STO, 1992

Bearman, Mary Lou - MAI, 1992-

Bearman, Nicole D. - NWH, 1994

Beasley, Jill E. - MAI, 1993

Beatty, John David - GEN, 1984-

Bechdolt, Alta Marie - 1966

Beck, Christopher Brock - 1961

Beck, Elaine S.

Becker, Barbara Ann - WAY, 1973-74

Becker, Mary Margaret - ORD, 1926-68

Beckman, Kathleen Jo - 1984

Beckman, Marcia Ann - TP, 1967-68

Beckman, Stephen George - YAR, 1966-70

Beckwith, Judith M. - DPT, 1991-

Beckwith, Kay Andries - 1956-57

Beebe, LaRhue Elaine - 1957

Beeching, Deanna Sue - GEO-HSC, 1972-76

Beerbower, Jacqueline M.

Behny, Barbara - 1946

Behr, Robert W.

Behrns, Susan Marie - LTL, 1973-75

Beierlein, - 1922

Belbutoski, Ann Z.

Bekh, Stephanie Ann - -1988

Bekher, Donna - 1991

Bekher, Edward A. - MNT, 1977

Bekher, William Duane - 1984

Belella, Peggy - 1950-51

Belen, Ens T. - 1957

BeU, Janet Kay - HKP, 1983

BeU, Marion - 1953

Belot, Rita - HSC, 1992

Belschner, Jacqueline June Stabler - TP-FIN,

1945-83
Belschner, Patricia Ann Harris - 1950-59
Benchenstein, Patricia - TP, 1968
Bendel, Ruth - 1952-54
Bender, Carol Ann Grabowski - EXT, 1966

-67
Bender, Henry K. - 1952
Bender, Lois - 1945
Bender, Richard Thomas - TP, 1960-
Bengs, Alan Joseph - GEO, 1991
Benham, Janet Carol Thurston - GEN, 1970

-73.
Bennett, Annabelle Jeanette - TP, 1962-80
Bennett, Beverly Yvonne - MAI, 1964
Bennett, David Duane Bennett - EXT, 1967
Bennett, Kathleen Ann - 1984
Bennett, Marilyn Ann - 1958
Bennett, Pamela Sue - TP, 1972-73
BenninghoR', Lois E. - ABT, 1991-92
Benson, Darlene F. Cannon
Benson, Isabel Miyata - 1947-51
Benson, Joe N. - 1942-51
Benson, William - 1947-49
Bente, Paul Frederick - 1955
Benz, Celeste - 1943-46
Berg, Patricia L.
Berger, Mary Ann - MAI, 1983
Berggoetz, Brad D.
BerghofT, Denise E.
Bergstrom, Janet
Berkheiser, Dennis
Bermes, Monica S.
Berndt. Bonnie - MP, 1966
Bernhart, Scott

260

Berning, Jennifer

Berning, Margaret - 1944-46

Berry, Florence 0.-1945

Berry, Laura E. - HSC, 1976

Berry, Marge - TP, 1965-67

Bertram, Lois - 1944-46

Bertram, Rachel

Betancourt, Melissa - ABT-AMV, 1991-

Betts, Linda - GEN, 1972

Betz, Diana Hudson

Beveridge, Virginia Nute - 1929

Beverly, Pantaleon J. - ABT, 1993

Bibe, Thomas C, St.

Bickel, Mary Frances - PRS, 1991-

Biedenweg, Louise - EXT, 1964-67

Biedka, Stanislaw

Bieneke, Linda - 1967

Bierbaum, Cynthia J. - WAY, 1994-

Bierbaum, Jackie - 1980s

Bieri, Pamela Ann - TC, 1980-84

Bierman, Gilbert

Bierman, Tom - EXT, 1970

Bietz, Linda J. - DPT, 1992-

BiU, Gerald

Billingsley, Christine - 1988

Billingsley, Kevin Ray - 1984

Billingsley, Nancy - TP, 1972

Binkley, Laurel D. - 1988

Birch, M. Suzanne Ruble - TEC, 1958-61

Bird, Linda EUen - MAI, 1981-82

Birdseye, Catherine Elizabeth - RE A, 1988-

Birky, Kenneth Kermit

Bischoff, Jane R. Hour - PRS, 1991-

Bisha, Calvin

Bishop, Imogene H. Verdan - AR, 1969-80

Black, Byron P. - STO, 1991-

Blackbum, Sue Ellen - 1963-64

Blaettner, Pete Hans - REF, 1964

Blair, Charles Albert, Jr. - HKP, 1983

Blair, MicheUe D. - MAI, 1994

Blair, Sharon Kay - 1970

Blaising, Betty - 1945

Blance, Carol

Blankenburg, Jeananne - 1953-54

Blanks, Faith Elaine - MAI, 1983-84

Blanks, Robert Theo. - SEC, 1967-82

Blaugh, Jill C.

Blaugh, Marjorie

Blauser, Nancy Ilene - 1956

Blecke/Bleeke, Mildred - 1943-44

Blee, Thomas - 1944

Blessing, Berta Maria Kremers - 1965-66

Blessing, Dorothy - 1953-54

Bleyins, Alice Mae/May - 1954-55

Blevins, Phyllis Ann - 1957

Biietz, Cynthia Sue - REF, 1980-81

Bliss, Nicholas Robert - BUS-BOM, 1977-83

Bk)cher, Linda M. - HKP, 1987-

Bk)ck, Richard Edward - YAR, 1961-64

BkMmrield, Teresa Ann - GEN, 1973-75

Bkwmfleld, Thomas Joseph - 1978

Bkwmfleld, Virginia Frances - EXT-GEN,

1965-79
Bk)sser, Virginia - MAI, 1928-36
Bk)ssom, Ruth Flick - 1963
Btouce, Carol - 1955
Blume, Eleanor June - 1954-55
Blume, Kenneth Edward - 1956
Blume, Stephen M. - SEC, 1991-
Bobay, Brenda Marlene - WAY, 1982
Bock, Nancy L. - PRP, 1987-
Bockehnan, Darlene M.
Bode, Craig H. - 1976
Bodeker, Janice Ann - 1958
Boegli, Betty - 1944-45
Bogar, Margaret - 1946-47
Boger, Jeffrey Lane - MAI, 1983
Boggess, Bryan Evans - REF, 1972-73
Bohde, Sandra Kay - EXT, 1977-78
Bohling, James Curt - TP, 1965
Bohn, Carolyn Ruth - 1958-60
Bohn, Stephen Paul - 1963-68
Bohne, Marilyn - 1947-48
Bohner, Nadene - 1943
Bohnstedt, Kathleen Louraine - 1984
Bohnstedt, Kristine A.
Bohren, Mary E.

Bokhari, Susan Diane Folken - MAI, 1976-79
Bollinger, Vonda Lee - 1960
Bolson, Rita - 1935-46
Boitz, Deborah Elaine - AMV, 1974-75
Bolyard, Claudia S. - EXT, 1966-67
Bonahoom, Barbara - 1946-47
Bonahoom, Diana

Bonahoom, Elizabeth Jane - 1976-77
Bonahoom, Joseph George - 1977
Bond, Keith - 1953
Bond, Nora Ruth - MAI, 1960-61
Bond, Wendy Joanne - 1978
Bone, Vicki Lou - TP, 1964-67

261

Bonham, Christopher A. - HKP, 1994

Bonham. KeUy L. - 1988-89

Bonham, LucUe - CR, 1926-27

BonoTkh, Violet Mae - 1957

Booker, Brenda - TP, 1967

Booker, Curtis Allen - BUS, 1966

Booker, Daphne Chazron - MAI, 1983

Booker, Rachelle Marie

Boon, Martha - LTL, 1935

Boothe, Belinda J. - DIR-ABT, 1992-93

Bordner, David Leonard - 1965

Boreani, Betty Jean - 1957

Borg, Martha Jean - 1979

Borkenstein, Betty - 1949

Bormann, Katherine Anne - MAI-MR, 1981

-83
Borne, Terry William - 1964
Boshler, Joyce E. - TP, 1963-93
Boucher, Cheryl Ann
Bourne, Delia Cothrun - REF-GEN, 1977-
Bouse, Ray - MNT-CAR, 1951-70
BoutaU, Keith Daniel - GEO, 1972-73
Bowen, Lawanda Antoinetta - CHI, 1983
Bowen, Philip A. - CR
Bowen, Shirley Mae - 1948-53
Bower, Bart)ara - 1951
Bower, Charles A. - 1952-54
Bower, Mary Elizabeth - 1961
Bowers, Helen L. - 1959
Bowles, Marjorie - 1952-53
Bowman, Charles Paul - 1974
Bowman, Donald Lee - 1968
Bowman, Harold - 1943-44
Box, Constance
Boy den, Jamie D.

Bracht, Jean Elizabeth - EXT-TP, 1953-78
Bracht, Lloyd - 1944
Braden, Margaret KeUy - DIR-AMV-ABT,

1983-94
Bradin, Pamela Sue - TP, 1973-74
Bradley, Amanda Jane - ABT, 1994-
Bradley, Barbara M. - 1976
Bradley, Beverly A. - 1954-55
Bradley, Margaret- 1951
Bradley, Phyllis - 1952
Bradtmiller, Bruce Paul - TP, 1969-72
Bradtmiller, Keith Ralph - YAR-BKM-MAI,

1965-76
BradtmUler, Kraig Uyne - REF-MAI, 1969

-77

Bradtmueller, Norma - 1945-49

Brady, Ann Marie - 1973-74

Brady, Marion J. - MAI, 1992

Brahmavar, Usha Subash - TP, 1972-74

Braish, Sheila Webster - 1979

Braithwaite, James - 1947-51

Brand, Bemice - 1927-28

Brandt, Daryl Scott - MAI, 1978-79

Brandt, HUda - 1951

Branning, Martin William - MAI, 1956

Brathwaite, Roslyn Jeanesto - MAI, 1976-79

Bratton, Ruth - TP, 1968

Braun, Joan Lorraine - GEN, 1969-73

Breece, Mary - 1952

Breedenstein, (Mrs.) - -1934

Bresler, Letitia Sue Miller - 1960-62

Breuning, Kenneth - 1950

Breuning, Tim William - 1976-92

Briant, Doris Ileen - 1949-71

Bricker, Betty - 1951

Brkkley, Nancy Lee - 1959

Brielmaier, Christine M. - NWH, 1991

Briggs, John AUen - DPT, 1994-

Briggs, Lillian M. - 1905

Bright, JohneUa - HKP, 1983

Bright, Lewis M. - 1938-41

Briner, Mary Ann - 1952-53

Brinkman, Diana Lynn - MAI, 1964

Brinkman, Patricia A.

Brocht, Jean E. - 1953

Brockschlager, Anna - CR, 1922-23

Broderick, James Thomas - MAU-TP, 1936

-80
Broderkk, Jon Barry - TP-MAI, 1965-68
Broderick, Madeline Marie Manhart - TP,

1959-80
Broderick, Margaret - 1951
Broderick, Sara Ellen - TP, 1967
Brooke, Frank L. - 1971
Brooks. Bertha Belinda - TP, 1968-74
Brooks, Earlean Chapman - EXT-MAI, 1952-
Brooks, Elise K. - CAT, 1990-
Brooks, Gary D. - MAI, 1979-84
Brooks, Karen Sue - TP, 1972-73
Brooks, Mark Anthony - MNT, 1974-75
Brooks, Patricia A. - PER-REA, 1994-
Brooks, Rebecca Lynn - MAI, 1983-
Brooks, Sherri

Brooks, Thomas Averil - TP, 1972
Brooks, Valerie G.

262

Brooks, Vernon J., Jr. - REF, 1965-67
Brooks, Willa Pearl - 1974

Brown, (Mrs. B.H.) - 1939-53

Brown, Charles - 1967

Brown, Charles Calvin - 1956-60

Brown, Chris - MNT, 1991-92

Brown, Christa R. - GEO, 1985-

Brown, Christopher J. - 1984

Brown, Christopher T.

Brown, Clara Rosina - PRN, 1953-77

Brown, Denise R. - TEC, 1983

Brown, Diana Lane - TEC, 1966-68

Brown, Dorothy - 1951-52

Brown, Elizabeth Bair - MAI, 1993-

Brown, Esther G. - BUS, 1926-46

Brown, Evelyn Lindsey - GEO, 1983

Brown, Gina - DPT, 1991-93

Brown, Jacqueline Jeanette - CHI, 1983

Brovm, John Ervin - REF, 1972-74

Brown, Judith Ann Belschner- ORD, 1957

-64
Brown, Linda - 1968
Brown, Lori Kay - GEO, 1983
Brown, Martha

Brown, Michael Patrick - GEN, 1992-94
Brown, Ramon Edward - 1963
Brown, Robert Keith - PRN, 1961-63
Brown, Sheila Jennene - TP, 1969-71
Brown, Steven M.
Brown, Teddy D. - PRP, 1992-
Brown, Virginia - 1947
Browning, Benita Sue Brown - MAI-GEN,

1988-
Brownlee, Dwayne - MAI, 1969-70
Brownlee, Kateen N.
Brownlee, Sharmaron - BUS, 1978-79
Brownlee, Wilbert Bernard - 1978
Brubaker, Robert L. - AMV, 1989-
Brudi, Sherida - 1979
Bruggner, Mary Ann - EXT, 1967-72
Brumbaugh, Sharon D. - TP, 1966-67
Brunette, Gloria Jean - 1949-55
Brunjes, Margaret - CR, 1940-45
Brunner, Roxy Ann Thompson - 1960
Brunson, Mary Patricia - 1961
Brunson, Timothy W.
Brusse, Helen Louise - 1961
Bryant, Doris - EXT, 1970
Bryant, Hattie Mae - MNT, 1974-82
Bubb, Helen - 1944

Buckles, Frances - CR, 1925-26

Budd, Ann Dallas - PSI, circa 1987-89

Buechner, Lois - 1944

Buffenbarger, Lorrenda Lee

Buggs, Susie A. - GEN-PON, 1972-80

Buhr, Denise Kay - BKM-GEO-NWH-DPT,

1980-91
Buhr, Tamara Sue - 1979-91
Buirley, Florence - 1972
Buimahn, Cristine Louise - 1979
Bultemeier, Beatrice - EXT-MAI, 1966-70
Bundy, Robert G. - -1944
BunneU, Louis William II - GEN, 1979-82
Burchard, Batasha - 1953
Burchheimer, Dorothy - 1943
Burda, Zeneda Ruth - 1956
Burdick, Noreen Elaine - MAI, 1966
Burget, Donald E. - MNT, 1972-73
Burgoon, Richard - 1944
Burkart, Jo Ann Olga - 1976
Burkholder, Vera - 1949-51
Burkley, Vera - 1947
Burks, Mary - 1950-51
Burnard, Christine M. - ABT, 1991-
Burney, Jean Marie - EXT, 1969-70
Buroff, Linda - HKP, 1991
Burns, Cheryl - MAI, 1991
Burns, Joan - EXT, 1966
Burns, Melody Ann - GEN, 1969-70
Burns, Timothi Jon - SEC, 1991
Buron*, Linda Faye
Burr, Nancy Perry - 1958-59
Burt, Terry D.

Burton, Shirley Ann - 1957-62
Buschur, Susan R. - REA, 1984-
Bush, Rose - 1953
Bush, Vivian Sue - 1960
Bushaw, Donette DeeAnn - 1956
Bushman, Juanita - RIC, 1927-38
Busing, Muriel Jean - WAY, 1978-87
Busse, Margaret Ann/Anne - 1944-47
Bussen, Troy B.
Bustos, Gina
Butes, William - 1928-29
Butts, William - MNT, 1922-31
Buzzard, Louise Ebiora - YAS, 1982-83
Byers, Janet Mae Gerig - SHW, 1966-73
Bynoe, Marian - LTL, 1982-83
Bynum, Sharon D. - HSC, 1987-
Byrne, Joan V. - EXT, 1964-74

263

Cahill, Miriam Kay Armstrong - AMV, 1975-

76
Cain, Joann Marie - PRS, 1988-
CaldweU, Neva Lydia - TP, 1966
CaldweU, Shawn N. - WAY, 1991-93
CaldweU, Stacy A. Evans - NWH, 1987-
Callahan, Elizabeth Ann - GEN, 1978-79
Calvert, Gloria Sue - -1970
Calvin, MUdred - 1926-28
Calvin, Mrs. Warren [MUdred?] - HS, 1926
Cambron, Ida Dawn Elam - TP, 1964-75
Camp, Philip J. n
Campbell, Barbara
CampbeU, Bruce - BKM, 1969
Campbell, Christophers. - STO, 1991
Campbell, Dennis Robert - GEO-WAY, 1978

-82
CampbeU, Jane L. - EXT, 1963-71
Campbell, Jennifer K.
Campbell, John Bruce - 1967
CampbeU, Kenneth O. II - EXT-YAR, 1964

-65
CampbeU, Nina S. - 1948
CampbeU, SaUy Sue - 1967-69
CampbeU, Susan Elyse
CampbeU, Thomas Gerard - 1976-77
Cangiano, Gennaro - 1959
Cansler, Sharon D. - TSS, 1981-82
Cantelon, Philip Louis - 1961
Caparaso, Cara - CHI, 1991-93
Caparaso, Karol - AMV-DPT, 1991-94
Cardenas, Ruth Gomez - CHI, 1983-91
Carey, Carol Ann - MAI, 1968-71
Carey, Jerry D. - 1953-55
Carey, Mary Mae Chrisman - 1953-55
Carl, Jacqueline - 1951
Carnahan, Virginia C. - CAT, 1922-27
Carpenter, Beth E. - EXT, 1946-79
Carpenter, Pat - 1947-48
Carpenter, Rose - MNT, 1969-70
Carpenter, William Raymond - MNT-HKP,

1969-82
Carr, Cheryl Mae - TP, 1967-72
Carrig, John J. - 1978
CarroU, Barbara McKinney - 1978
CarroU, Lillian Elizabeth McKinley -

TP, 1970-78
CarroU, Phyllis Ann - 1970
Carteaux, Francis E., Jr. - HKP, 1980-82
Carteaux, Jeannine Marie - HKP, 1983

Carter, James Hal, Jr. - 1962

Cartford, Peter H. - AMV, 1980s

Cartmel, Jennifer L.

Caruthers, Saralee

Case, Gladys L. Allmon - EXT, 1962-70

Casey, Becky Ann - EXT, 1970-73

Casper, David Carson - 1957

Cast, Jennifer Ann - TSS, 1981

Cato, Melanie Gia

Cato, Roy Tyrone - MAI-SHW-PON, 1980

-94
Causey, Brie
Causey, Tyrone G.

Cavanaugh, Jacqueline K. - MAI, 1980-82
Cavanaugh, James Pierce III - BUS, 1976-79
Cavanaugh, Linda S. - GEO, 1984
Caughlan, Don H. - 1948-53
Causey, Tyrone G. - MAI, 1983
CecU, Joan Marie "Jill" - REA, 1988-94
Ceregbino, Louis Anthony - MNT-HKP-EXT,

1961-84
Ceresa, Jeffrey T. - MNT, 1993
Certis, Peter, Jr. - 1958
Chain, Sharon Lee - BUS, 1961
Chambers, Clara - 1952-53
Chambers, Phyllis - 1952
Champlain, Mary Ann - REF, circa 1961
Chann, Hua

ChanneU, Carol Ann - TP, 1967-69
Chapman, Cora - 1953-54
Chapman, Jennifer - MAI, 1988
Chapman, Linda Sue Truesdale - MAI-AM V

-REA, 1965-
Chapman, Paula A. - PGO, 1994
Chapman, Thomas R. - 1947
Charlton, Mary Ann - REF, 1966-68
Chase, Karen .\nn - 1979
Cheesman, Miriam - 1947-48
Chen, Janice M. - 1953
Chen, Kimberly A. - A-Team, 1992
Cherry, Marjorie Ann - SS, 1981-84
Cherry, Sharon Kay - 1980-81
Cheviron, Ellen M.
ChUdress, Bobbie Jo
Chin, John Young - TP, 1978-80
Chin, Karol Roy - 1960
Chipman, Cheryl Ann - 1969
Chowdhry, Muhammad Azam - STO, 1970-76
Christensen, Matthew J. - ABT, 1994-
Christian, Genevieve C. - WAY, 1981-83

264

Christlieb, Larry Allen - 1960

Christner, Rosalie Jane - 1956

Christopher, Violet E. - TP, 1967-68.

Chronister, Gary A. - GEN, 1988-

Chronister, Jane Bates - STO, 1989-

Chu, Hung Manh - MAI, 1983

Churchill, CesseUy D. - REA-HSC, 1993-

Cimini, GUda - 1943

Cimini, Martha - 1943

CipoUo, James W. - SEC, 1988

Clapesattle, Helen - 1927-29

Clark, AHson Hadley - MAI, 1980-81

Clark, Cory A. - MAI, 1994-

Chirk, Cynthia K. - TP, 1966

Clark, Elizabeth Baldwin - TP, 1966-67

Clark, Geraldine Marie - TP, 1963-66

Clark, Janice - TP, 1967

Clark, Jean - 1943

Clark, Marvin - 1955

Clark, Paulette Elayne - 1969

Clark, TrueUa - 1952-53

CUry, Richard Roland - HKP, 1981

Clauser, Jeannette Marie

ClaymUler, Betty EUen - TP, 1972-73

Clayton, Anita Ann - MAI, 1963-64

Clayton, Hazel - 1942-46

Clegg, Mary Lou Treece - ACQ, 1988-

Clegg, Michael Barren - GEN-BOM, 1981-

Clements, Barbara - NHW, 1993-

Clements, Sandra Lee - 1957

Clendenen, Marjorie June - EXT, 1966-73

Cleveland, EUa Sue Warren - 1959

Clinkenbeard, Cherylee - REA-AMV, 1983

Clipp, Janis - 1954

Ctossen, Sue - MAI

Ck)ud, Robert Anthony - 1979

Ctouse, John Edwin, Jr. - BKM, 1962

Cluckie, Dawn L.

Clugston, Elizabeth - CR, 1931-36

Coats, Gordon - 1945

Coats, Sarah Louise Dickey - TSS, 1982

Cobb, Pamela Patrice - GEO-MAI, 1979-82

Cobble, Patricia - PRN, 1968-70

Coburn, Christine A.

Cochran, Carol - 1950

Cochran, Jason D. - STO, 1993

Coffee, Jane B. - WAY, 1977-80

Cohen, Jean Nancy - AMV, 1991-93

Cokhin, Gladys Kettleborough - 1925-27

Cokhin, Helen - REP, 1957-83

Cole, Dawn Love - GEN, 1977-81

Cole, Denelle Hope - GEN-TP, 1972-74

Cole, Diana Faith - GEN, 1976-78

Cole, Gregory Clay - 1979

Coleman, Eloise A. Meyer - 1948-53

Coleman, Gloria Nellena - 1961

Coleman, Richard - 1942-43

Colerick, Margaret M. - DIR, 1896-1934

Collins, Kirsten W. - ABT, 1993

Collins, Mary Beth - REA, 1992

Collis, Eva Pappas - YAS, 1977-

Cotter, William - CR, 1924

Compton, Mary Elizabeth - 1984

Compton, Nellie Fern - CR-EXT, 1944-74

Condo, Thomas E. - 1963

Conklin, Gary Raymond - GD-BUS, 1966-

Conklin, Michael James - 1984

Conner/Connor, Esther - 1925-27

Connett, Joanne - 1952

Connin, Michael J. - PUR, 1984-

Conrad, Barbara - 1948-51

Conrad, Edith - 1941-43

Conrad, Martin L. - 1950

Conrich, Lynette Clark - 1961

Converset, MicheUe L. - CHI, 1993-94

Cook, Deanna Joyce

Cook, Julie Ann - 1984

Cook, Kary L.

Cook, Kenneth - 1925-27

Cook, Rhys R. - HKP, 1983-84

Cook, Ruth EsteUa Briggs - ORD, 1947-64

Cook, Shirley Ann - 1957

Cook, Wendel - 1947

Coon, Brad - STO, 1992-

Coon, Roger B. - STO, 1992

Cook, Ruth - ORD, 1964

Cooper, Malcolm Trevor

Coppock, Anita Beth - 1955

Corbett/Corbot, Bessie - ARC, 1929-42

Corkill, Mary Miller Summersett - 1945-64

Corkill, Robert Oren, Jr. - 1962-63

Corrao, James F. - MAI, 1994-

Costich, Lisa M. - LTL, 1991-

Cotner, Patricia Ann - GEN, 1966-67

Cottrell, Dina Marie - 1958

Cottrell, Ronald James - 1957

Cottrill. Rebecca Lou - TP, 1967

Coulter, Peari E. - BKM-BOM, 1928-35

Coulter, Ronald - 1956

Counseller, Rhonda Lou - 1977

265

Counts, Bonnie G.

Cour, Clarence W. - 1951-52

Cour, Howard J. - 1951-52

Courval, Melissa S.

CoweU, LueUa Coudret - CR-CAT, 1923-39

Cowles, Bemice - 1927

Cox, Almeda - 1954

Cox, Geraldine E. - PON, 1971-73

Cox, Jeanne Trudis - TB/RB, 1969-77

Cox, Marjorie IdeU - 1958-61

Cox, Thomas Harvey, Jr. - CD, 1967-83

CrabUI, Barbara - 1943-44

CrabiU, Carolyn - 1949

Craft, Patricia Lue - 1956

Crago, Janet - 1954

Crago, Marjorie - 1941-42

Crago, Mary E.

Crago, Maxine - 1942-47

Craig, Mary Helen - 1957

Craig, Mary M. - 1951

Craig, Patricia Ann - MAI, 1983-84

Cramer, Dallas - 1953

Cramer, Richard - 1953

Crance, Carlene Adele - 1955

Crance, Lillian - 1948

Crance, Mrs. Robert [Lillian?] - 1947

Crane, Elsbeth - 1926-27

Crane, Katharine Licklider - YAR, 1969-71

Crane, William Harrison - GD, 1967-80

Craven, Herb - PSI, 1992

Craw, Ann Marie - PON, 1967-70

Crawford, Christie EUen - MAI, 1968-69

Crawford, Vera J. - RR-CR, 1963-78

Crebb, Emil K. - EXT-BKM, 1962-74

Crebb, Margaret A. - GEN, 1974-80

Credlebaugh, Dolores - 1953

Creech, Christine D. - STO, 1987-

Cress, Bona Lou - 1955-56

Crews, Lakeya

Crick, Cynthia A. - LTL-TEC, 1990-

Crick, David Keith - MNT, 1984-

Crimmins, Joan Broderick - TP, 1966-70

Cristil, Harriet Faye - 1949-62

Crockett, Robert L. - 1952

Cromwell, Richard Reese - 1959

Cronin, Patrick Joseph - 1979-80

Crow, Jeanne - 1948

Crowley, Mary J. - PON, 1983

Cubbal, Geraldine B. - MAI, 1970-78

Culbertson-Ade, Christine - STO-TRI, 1991-

CuUen, Allen Floyd, Jr. - 1954-55

Culp, Zebna - MON, 1921-37

Cumming, Sylvia Jane

Cunningham, Agnes J. - 1925-47

Cunningham, Alice - 1927

Curry, Alice - 1953

Curry, Doris - GD, 1966

Curry, Johnie Mae - 1957

Curry, Teria A. - DPT, 1993

Curtis, Coreen D. - 1988

Cushing, Elizabeth A. - REA, 1992

Custance, Cheri Le-Anne - 1961

Custance, Keith Annis - 1958-73

Custance, LaVonne Leslie - MAI, 1963-64

Custance, Ruth - CR-EXT, 1958-73

Custance, Sharon

Custer, Nettie H. - MNT, 1968-78

Custer, Paul - MAI, 1965

Custer, Paul Keathly - MNT-CAR, 1957-78

Dafforn, Bruce Allen - MAI, 1981-82

Dafforn, Douglas D. - GEN, 1992-93

Dafforn, Tamara - FIN, 1993

Dahling, Tamara Sue - REF, 1983

Dahm, Paul Cole - PON, 1981-83

Dail, Phyllis

Dailey, Sharon - GD, 1969-70

Dale, Audrey - 1945-46

Daley, Mark Edward

Dailey, Barbara - 1949

Dalton, John P., Jr.

Dancy, Heidi Lynn - 1979-80

Dancy, Paul Bartlett - 1979

Daniel, Eleanor M. - YAR-REF, 1967-70

Daniel, Jack Edward - HKP, 1982

Daniels, David Lawrence - MNT, 1973-74

Daniels, Luella - 1945-47

Daniels, Marian - 1950-52

Darghous, Mohamad Taher - HKP, 1982-83

Darst, Ethel G. - REF-TEC, 1922-42

Datzman, Catherine Jane - MAI, 1975-76

Daugherty, Geraldine - 1954-55

Daugherty, Harriett Jean - 1969

Daugherty, Jean - MAI, 1970-72

Dave, Harshad - 1957

Davenport, Susan Gail - 1977-78

Davidson, Franklin G. - 1949-50

Davidson, Herman - 1947

Davies, Diana Kalinda - MAI, 1981-82

Davis, Ahna - CR, 1928-36

Davis, Andrea L.

266

Davis, Audrey - 1943-44

Davis, Betty Sue - 1954-55

Davis, Darrell Ann - 1959

Davis, E. Patrice

Davis, Eleanor Joanne - 1960-61

Davis, Hal Edward - 1967

Davis, Jean Lynn - MAI, 1982

Davis, JenneU Christine - PON, 1992-93

Davis, Jo Ann

Davis, John Forest - BKM, 1958-66

Davis, Leona - 1943

Davis, Marian - 1946

Davis, Marilyn - 1951

Davis, R. Joane

Davis, Shannon Leigh McClurg- NWH, 1991

-93
Davis, Sharon - 1947
Davis, Shirley Ann - 1961-64
Davis, Tamara L. - PRS, 1993
Davis, William A.
Davison, Jennifer
Dawkins, David W. - HKP, 1988-
Dawson, Kathleen Phillips - 1956
Dawson, Marsha R.
Dawson, Mildred - 1947-48
Day, Margaret A. - 1943-48
Dean, Elizabeth L. - EXT, 1969-70
Dean, Mava Wadsworth - PON-SHW, 1924

-32
Deane, Paul Duane, Jr. - REA-REF-TB, 1983

-89
Deaton, Gwendolyn Opal - 1956
Deaton, Jenifer L.
DeBrady, Gwendolyn L. - 1953
Deck, Tammy J.
Deck, Robert E. - 1951
Deckard, Laura M. - ABT, 1994-
DeForest, Laura N. - MAI, 1983
Degitz, Dalton - 1936-48
DeHaven, Gail Lynne - 1970
DeHaven, Ruth Elizabeth - EXT-TP, 1968-73
Deimling, Ruth Louise - EXT, 1972-73
Deitle, Jean J. - CMR, 1991-93
Deitsch, Mary - 1967
DeLeon, Linda F. - HKP, 1983-84
DeLong, D. BeU - MAI, 1991
Delwood, Rosemary - 1944
Demby, Terry M. - 1976-77
Demmler, Geraldine A. - CR, 1924-27
Denhartog, Samuel L. - GEN, 1986-88

Deninger, William Otto - SEC, 1980-82

Dennis, Christopher Douglas - PRN, 1978-

Dennison, Darren Lee

Dennison, Mary Fay - GEN, circa 1982-88

DePrey, Dawn - STO, 1994

Derbyshire, Tracie A. - AMV, 1988

Derham, Helen

Derrick, Tracye A.

DeShazer, Jason M.

Detter, Nicole Marie

Detzer, Mrs. A.J. - 1924-31

DeVault, Ginger Anne - EXT, 1967-68

DeVault, Gordon.

DeVauIt, Mary S. - TP, 1966-

DeVautt, Pamela Jean - 1976

Devlin, Earl Anthony - 1956

DeVore, Jean - EXT, 1970

DeVore, Jeanette Irene - 1967

DeVore, Patricia EUen - 1965

Deward, Keith K.

DeWitte, Stephen S.

DeWolfe, Alicia Lene- REF-MAI-BUS, 1982

-83
DeWood, Rosemary - 1944
Dexter, Brent R. - DPT, 1994
Deziel, George - 1955
Diane, Eric

Diaz, Gil Ramon - BUS, 1982
Diaz, Juan Gregorio Figueroa - EXT, 1972

-73
Dick, Cecil Bates - 1965
Dickerson, Turner L. - 1947-48
Dickinson, Lois Vollmar - 1948-49
Dickmeyer, John Nichols - GD-BUS-BSP,

1966-
Dickson, Brian K. - 1975
Didier, Patric A. - PER, 1991-
Didier, Sean Terese - AMV, 1982
Diehm, Patsy Mae - 1978
Diemer, Marilyn - 1952
Diep, Yung My

Diers, Kay Marie Freudenberg - GEN, 1991-
Diess, Carol Ann

Dietsch, James Philip - STO, 1974-75
Dietsch, Margaret M. - TP, 1965-76
Dietsch, Mary EUen - 1967
Dillman, Jamie D. - STO, 1993
Dillon, Kathryn Ann - HSC, 1974-75
DiUon, Sharon Rose - 1956
DiUon, Thelma G. - 1959

267

Dillson, Helen H. - GEN, 1976-81
DUts, Ford Eldon - SEC, 1981-82
Dimit, Sharon Lynne Stewart - 1958
Diserens, Albert Francis - REF-BUS, 1941

-64
Disler, Dolores Irene - 1957
Disler, Mark I.
Ditmer, Marie - 1954
Ditton, Ralph Nile - MNT, 1960-79
Dixie, Betty Jean - 1949-54
Dixon, Enid - 1950-52
Dlug, Mark Alan - BUS, 1970
Doak, Julie Anne - WAY-REA, 1991-92
Doctor, Cynthia Kay - HSC, 1980-81
Doctor, EUeen - 1946-47
Doctor, Lori A.

Dodane, Catherine Anne T. - TP, 1968
Doehrman, Alfred - New Haven, 1965
Doehrman, Jennifer R.
Doehrman, Michael Joseph - TEC, 1981
Doehrman, Opal E. - MNT, 1956-65
Doenges, Mary Louise - 1945
Doengus, Luella - 1953
Doer/Doerr, Edwin J., Jr. - 1974
Doescher, Catherine Marie - EXT-PRS, 1973

-82
Dohner, Vickie Lea - REA-REF, 1981-83
Dolby, Rodney J. - 1981
Dominguez, Adrienne - DPT, 1994-
Domte, Margie - 1943-44
Donnellon, William Joseph - 1959
Dooley, Martha Mary - EXT, 1972-73
Doran, Terrence Gerald - HKP, 1979; 1992

j Dorsch, Henry Fred - BUS-MAI, 1970-75

I Dorsch, Sarah H. - 1970

j Dorsten, James Ralph - 1962

I Doster, Shirley E. - 1958

I Dotson, Kathleen Joan - PON-EXT, 1966-67

! Dougherty, Timothy A. - GEN, 1989-
Doughty, Catherine Gail
Douglas, Linda S. - SHW, 1988
DowdeU, Jacqueline - HKP, 1993
Downing, Joanne D. - ABT 1993-
Doyal, Phillis R.

Doyle, Linda Kay - SHW, 1970-71
Doyle, Maureen - DPT, 1993-
Doyle, Robert A.

Drane, Eric Delaney - MAI, 1974-81
Drees, Carol Ann - 1978
Dreiband, David M. - SEC, 1991-

Drew, Bettye Jean - 1969

Drewery, Edehnira

Drinks, Geraldine - 1952

DriscoU, Kathryn - 1954-55

Driver, Mary Lou

Druehl, Suzanne Elliot - TSS, 1991-

Druley, Hazel I. - 1949

Druley, Mary Ann - 1945-49

Drury, David Lee - 1968

Dublin, Deanne - TP, 1965

DuBois, Isabel - SS, 1912-14

DuBois, Jean - 1946-47

DuBrucq, F. Germaine - 1925-27

Dudley, Karol L. - DPT, 1993-

Duff, Lori - TVS, 1992

Duffy, EUen M. - HAR, 1993-

Dugold, Deanna

Duke, Jane Thomas - 1945

Dulin, Carol Ann Hathaway - 1958

Dulin, Dianne - TP, 1965-68

Dulin, Gary S. - 1970

Dunahue, Judith A. - PNL, 1990-

Dunfee, Deanna M. - A-Team, 1993-94

Dunn, Dianne - STO, 1993

Dunn, Linda D.

Dunn, Sheldon Hersholt - 1963

Duquid, Deanna R. - 1979

Durham, Mae Helen - CO, 1965-67

Dute, Eleanor - 1954

Dutta, Satyajit - 1961

DuvaU, Myrtle Harriet - 1959

Duwan, Rebecca A. - HAR-GEO, 1992-

Dwire, Mary Margaret

Dwyer, Susan Ann - HSC, 1973-74

Dye, Charlene

Dyer, David Patrick - MAI, 1953-64

Dyer, EUa - 1943

Dyer, Jenee Lynn - 1993

Ead, Jawdat Mohammed - 1959

Eagan, Beth Anne - SHW, 1974-75

Early, Sarah Jane - 1967

Easley, David James - MNT, 1986-

Eastes, ErickE., 1984

Ebersole, James Glenwood - 1960

Eby, Mary Lou Carmen - 1969

Eccles, Brenda Parker - 1972

Eck, Wdma Jeanette - TP, 1969-82

Eckels, - HS

Eckman, Charles - BUS, 1967-91
Edge, Doris Dinwiddie - 1951-55

268

Edington, Katie Ann - SHW-TP, 1966-72

Edington, Mary Joan - SHW, 1969-70

Edmond, Opal Jean - GEN, 1962-63

Edmonds, Keith Lamont

Edmonds, Michael Lee - MAI, 1983

EdsaU, Marion - TP, 1935-64

Edwards, Betty Jean - 1958-59

Edwards, Donald - 1943

Edwards, R.C. - 1946

Edwards, Richard - 1946

Edwards, Stephen Nelson - EXT, 1967

Edwards, Troy Eddie - 1959

Egolf, Elizabeth A.

Ehrsam, Beverly Ann NuU - MP-BKM-EXT,

1957-68
Eicher, Ann - 1956
Eicher, Barbara Jean
Eicher, Catherine Janet - GEN, 1963-67
Eicher, David Albert
Eickhoff, LaVeme Lucille - TP, 1976-81
Eickhorst, Jenifer L.
Eikenberry, Dorothy Elizabeth - 1958
EUer, Brian J. -GEN, 1994-
Eirlsizer, Marcia - TP, 1964
Eisenhauer, Irma - 1946
Eisenmann, Joyce Marie - TP/TSS, 1969-Eix,
Marsha L. - LTL, 1992-
Elder, Imogene - 1947
Elder, Madeline - 1954
Eldridge, Starr - MAI, 1978-79
Eley, Corelli Jean - 1976
Elkins, Letitia D.
EUenwood, Philip Kirk - 1973
EUerbrock, Beverly Ann - PRS, 1991-
Ellingham, Margaret - 1952
EUingham, Michael - 1944
Ellinwood, Philip
Elliott, Carol Lynn Alger - 1960
Elliott, Ethel Caroline Van Buskirk -

MON, 1957-87
EUiott, Everett O.
Elliott, Mark G.

Elliott, Myron Tracy - MON-EXT, 1969-80
Elliott, Samuel - CR, -1950
EUiott, Weldon R. - 1950-51
EUis, Rubymae-TP, 1967
Elmer, Richard Merrill - AR, 1967-76
Ek)ph, Barbara Ann - 1949-56
Elsay, Edna
Elson, Dorothy - 1962

Elston, William - CR, 1948-50

Elwood, Shirley A. - 1954

Elzay, Edna Virginia - 1959

Ely, La Von M. - 1950

Eme, Eric Matthew - 1972

Emel, Mark B. - MNT, 1977

Emerick, Arthur Louis - 1958

Emrick, Keith Eric - 1980

Emrick, Sharon - 1950-53

Enderle, SaUy Ann - 1958

Engebrecht, Cheryl Ann

Engstrom, Laura - MAI, 1991

Enns, Katharine - 1951-52

Ensley, Diane Marie Bonahoom - MAI, 1974

-83
Enyart, Ethel Mae - 1954-55
Erby, June E.
Erdner, Alida - 1943
Ernsberger, Wilma Patricia - 1950-55
Esfhany, Mohammad J. - MAI, 1978-79
Essex, Donald G. - REAPER, 1994
Essex, Kimothy - HKP, 1991-
Essex, Virginia - 1946-48
Estevez, Hernando A. - STO, 1992
Euilsizer, Marcia Ann - 1964
Evanoff, LucUe - EXT-MAI-CR-HSC, 1962

-79
Evanoff, Virginia - 1949
Evans, Billy - CR, -1950.
Evans, Eleanor J. - 1928-31
Evans, Jane L. - 1895-1906
Evans, Joe - 1936
Evans, Norma - 1951-52
Evans, SaUy - GEO, 1989
Evans, Steven D. - STO, 1991
Evard, Sonia Eileen - ORD, 1964-65
Evilsizer, Marcia

Eyanson, Rosemary - CR, 1927-28
Fabish, Sarah Anne - 1979
Fackler, Stephen Wyatt - 1979
Fairman, Wirt HaU - REF, 1952-55
Fallis, John C. - 1947-48
Falls, Leitha - 1922
Falls, Patricia Ann - GEN, 1972
Farr, Barbara A. - 1959
Farra, Mae - 1943-44
Farrell, Carol A.
Fascher, John - 1951
Faulkner, Jonathan E.
Faulkner, Thomas Edward - 1963

269

Faust, Lucy A.

Favory, Keri Lynn - STO, 1989-

Federspiel, Rosemary Lucille - 1967

Federspiel, William Earl - EXT, 1960

Feichter, Esther Marguerite - TP, 1965-80

Feipel, Lucille - 1947

Felger, Bonnie J.

Felhofer, August Edward - 1958

FeUer, Laura - 1947-49

Felt, Alice Elaine - EXT, 1970-71

FenneU, Geraldine M. - SEC-GEO, 1973-

Fenoglio, William Daniel - HKP, 1983-84

Ferguson, Lisa R. - MAI, 1994-

Ferraro, Carl D. - TC, 1980-81

Ferrell, Charlene Lois - SEC, 1982

Ferrey, Mary Lou - 1953

Ferry, Lisa - GEO-HAR, 1990-

Fetch, Anita - 1950

Fetters, Helen Bemiece - EXT-MAI, 1952-82

Fetters, Margaret - 1950

Feussnor, John K. - 1948

Fiebig, Florence - 1947-48

Fieldhouse, Kimberly Ann - GEO, 1982

Fields, Gwen M. - 1984

Fields, Harriet - 1939

Fields, Sara Ann - REF, 1982-83

Fields, Harriet - 1938

Fieseler, Nicholas

Figuly, Emily - 1952-53

Fikes, Nyla

Fillers, Alva Bergen - 1960

FiUers, Marc A. - SEC, 1993

Fincher, Robert J. II - BUS, 1968-69

Finchum, Louise Rust - MNT, 1969-71

Finkhousen, Susan P. - HKP, 1982

Firestine, Don Victor - SEC, 1981

Firestine, Scott R. - PER-BUS, 1991-

Firestone, Mary Emily

Fish, George Thomas II - 1974

Fisher, Donald William, Jr. - WAY, 1983-

Fisher, Doris Marie - -1930

Fisher, Eleanor Louise - 1953-57

Fisher, Kathleen S. - ABT, 1990-92

Fisher, Marilyn

Fisher, Richard Hood - 1962-63

Fisher, Teresa Kay - RR, 1978-79

Fisher, William Jacob - HKP, 1984

Fishering, Suzanne - 1951

Fitch, Anita Jane - EXT-PRS, 1967-82

Fitzgerald, Jean Anne Johnson - 1959

Flaig, Donald - 1944

Flaugh, Mala Sue

Fleckenstein, James R. - X, 1975-77

Fleckenstein, Jean Elaine - TP, 1967-75

Fleckenstein, R.J.

Fleckenstein, Susan Elaine - MAI, 1972-78

Fleischer, Anne A.

Fleischman, Peggy Ann - 1956-57

Fleming, David Thomas - EXT, 1965-67

Fleming, Judith Kaye - TP, 1967-68

Fleming, Tim Craig - YAR, 1967

Fletcher, Lore M.

Flickinger, J.F. - J, 1931-32

Fliginger, Eileen - 1953

Flint, Floyd - 1953

Flippen, Mellisica A.

Ftora, EUeen - 1944-45

Foelber, Suzanne - 1947-50

Foland, Nancy - WAY, 1990-

Folden, Sean Thomas - ABT, 1994-

Folsom, - 1924

Foote, Robin Annette - MAI, 1982-83
Ford, Betty Lowe - 1950-51
Ford, Jane - 1948
Ford, Jennifer Ayron - YAS-AMV

-ABT, 1984-
Fordon, John - 1955
Foreman, Bryce D.
Foreman, Rex Allen - 1966
Forke, Robert
Forker, Helen - 1939-40
Forks, Robert Alan - 1968
Fortin, MicheUe L. - GEN, 1990
Fortman, Keith - 1959
Fortney, Morgan - MNT, 1951-67
Fortriede, Daniel Kent - YAR, 1972-73
Fortriede, Kathy Roembke - MAI, 1973
Fortriede, Kevin C.
Fortriede, Steven Cari - X-BKM-MAI-WAY

-BOM-DIR, 1968-present.
Foster, Brian D.
Foster, James - 1953-54
Foster, Marvin S. - 1949
Foucher, Uure Claire - CR, 1908-09
Fowler, Clara M. - DIR, 1895-98
Fowler, Mary - 1949
Fox, Patricia M. - AR, 1973-74
Fraley, Doris Aileen - 1955
Fralick, Ruth EUen Ebel - 1961-62
Frambes, James R. - 1956

270

France, Jeffrey M.

France, Scott A. - HKP, 1991

France, Theresa Ann - TP, 1960-67

Francis, Robert Karl - 1957-58

Frane, Karen Marie - 1972

Frank, Harriet T. - 1951

Franke, Bruce Alan - MAI, 1968-72

Franke, James

Franke, Roger Herman - 1960

Franke, RosaUe Anne KeUer - TP, 1959-72

Franken, Lela "Ellen"

Franklin, Judith Anne - MP, 1962-67

Franks, James Sterling - MP, 1961

Frans, Karen

Franz, Anita Sue - 1964

Frayer, Debra Denise - LTL, 1978-79

Fray lick, Patricia - 1945-46

Frazier, Mark Alan - MNT, 1976-79

Frecker, Sarag M.

Frederick, Joyce Arlene - EXT-MAI-TSS,

1966-
Frederfck, KheUa Rae Myers - TB, 1969
Fredericksen, Emestina
Fredrick, Linda E. - BUS, 1986-91
Freeman, Connie - SHW, 1993-
Freeman, SaUy - ORD, 1965
Freeman, Sarah Louise- BUS-PON, 1963-64
Freeman, Wilma L. - 1976
Freimuth, Marjorie Ann - TP-SB, 1949-71
FresUer, Nick - PRS, 1994
Fretz, Naomi - 1952-54
Friddle, Rebecca Ann - 1958-59
Fridgen, Ulah - 1951-52
Friederichsen, Emestina - 1957
Fries, Richard Alden - 1960
Frisch, Brett Vinson
Frissora, Ann - 1949

Fritz, Linda Carol Houser - MAI, 1969-74
Fritz, Renee Irene - 1979-80
Frock, Evelyn - NWH, 1927-29
Fry, Danny Richard - HKP, 1982
Fry, Eric William - 1984
Fry, Stephen Paul - 1967
Fryback, Dianna Lou - 1959
Fryer, Gloria Jean - 1967
Fuess, Marietta M. - YAR, 1971-73
Fulk, Harold R. - 1949
Fuller, Jan - MAI, 1991
Fulton, Stephen W.
Fuitz, Jacqueline - 1943

Fuhz, Linda Sue - 1979

Funk, Bonnie F. - 1963

Furr, Dee A. - 1994

Gabbard, Cynthia L. Schweitzer - TSS-REA

-CHI, 1991-93
Gabriel, Barbara Jayne - 1965-66
Gaff, Alan Dale - BKM, 1981
Gage, Colleen M. - SB, 1993
Gaines, Alan Sidney - PRP-MAI, 1979-90
Galbreath, Cynthia Jo Kitch - MAI, 1975-79
Galbreath, Morris C. - MNT. 1974-78
Gallant, Richard - HKP, 1993
GaUespie, William L. - RB, 1973-79
Galligan, Maureen Elizabeth - BKM, 1982-83
Ganaway, John E.W. - 1987-89
Gandhi, Niroo Ramesh - STO-CHI, 1975-83
Garcia, Hector - 1971
Garcia, Karen Sue Graves - TEC, 1971-73
Gardiner, Marianne - RR, 1947-49
Gardner, Dixie L.
Gardner, PhyUis - 1953-54
Garey, Ilene Barbare - EXT, 1966-70
Garey, Margaret Ann - MAI, 1965-67
Garman, Josephine Louise - 1959-60
Garman, Mary L. - 1945-47
Garman, Myma - 1944-45
Garmire. William Alan - BKM, 1961-65
Garrell, Jean - 1949
Garrett, Jesse Therman
Garrett, Mindy S.

Garringer, Tamara Faye - WAY, 1981-82
Garrison, Jerry A. - 1952
Garwood, Kimberly Shane
Gaskill, David Lynn - 1964
Gater, Bemice EUen - EXT-MAI, 1957-82
Gaunt, Stanley Paul - BKM, 1977-81
Gaunt, Wayne Lee - BKM, 1971-78
Gaunt, William Richard - BKM, 1960-92
Gause, Esther E. Dean - SB, 1969-71
Gaytord, Selma Blaising - 1925-27
Geary, Betty - SHW, 1935
Gearey, Laura E. - CR, 1928-46
Gee, Donna - 1952
Gehman, James A.

Geisenhof, Dera E. Meek - GEN, 1973-75
Geistdoerfer, Fred C. - 1927-30
Geistwhite, Barbara J. - GEO, 1989-92
Gengo, Kaye Lynne - ACQ, 1986-
Gens, Michael A. - 1979
Gensenhof, Dora - GEN, 1974

271

Gensheimer, Joseph Charles - 1956

Geoffray, Virginia - 1948

George, Mary Louise - SHW-PON-RR, 1960

-66
Gephart, Charlotte - 1953
Gephart, RandaU Jay - GEO, 1972-73
Gerard, Keneth James
Gerber, EUen - 1955
Gerber, Janet Claire - MAI, 1974-79
Gerberding, Charlotte Denise - 1959
Gerdom, Beverly Sue - MAI, 1980-83
Gerhardstein, Virginia Ann Brokaw -

REF, 1953-55
Gerig, Esther - 1953
Gerig, Geraldine - 1948-49
Gerig, Gwen - 1949
Gerig, Mary - SHW, 1969-81
Gerig, Patricia Elizabeth - HSC, 1977-82
Gernand, EUen Marie - 1968
Geroff, Rose - 1947
Geyer, Joan P. - CR-RR, 1966-67
Ghazi, Ghazi F. - MNT, 1980-82
Ghumrawi, Shawkat - 1960
Giant, Evelyn F./L. - 1930-32
Giant, MarceUa - 1941-42
Gibbons, Marilyn Sue - 1965
Gibson, Eunice Bishop - EXT, 1969-71
Gibson, Geraldine - 1945-46
Gibson, James L. - 1960
Gibson, Jennifer - STO, 1994-
Gibson, Joan - 1954
Gibson, Mable LaVeme - 1968
Gick, Paula Lou - EXT, 1965
Giele, Nora - CR, 1909-10
GUbert, Coreen G. - CHI, 1993
GUbert, Jeffrey Wade - GEN, 1977-78
Gilbert, Stephen D. - CR, 1973-76
Gill, ManMohan Singh - 1957
GUien, Randal David - PON, 1980-83
GiUespie, Brian D. - MAI, 1991
Gillespie, William - X, 1979
Gilligan, June- 1951-52
Gilman, Frances - 1951-53
Gilmer, Susanne - 1963
Gilsinger, Jane Ann - 1961
Gipson, Nathaniel A.
Giraldo, Tertuliano - TP, 1970-72
Girardot, EL. - NWH, 1925-41
Girardot, Kathleen C.
Girardot, Mary Jo Creede - SHW, 1974-76

Girod, Robert J. - SEC, 1993

Girod, RandaU Kent - 1978-79

Giadieux/GIadioux, Doris - CR, 1943

Glasgow, Alice - 1948

Glass, Dayna M. - HSC, 1994-

Glasscock, John Sherman - 1979

Gleckler, Carrie - 1944-51

Gk>sson, Suzanne M.

Gk>Ter, Shirley - MAI, 1992-

Godfrey, Alene Ruth - 1957

Godfrey, Barbara - 1951

Godsey, Robert Harold - BKM, 1962-66

Goehler, PhyUis - 1943

Goette, Alice - PON, 1935

Goings, Thomas

Golden, Amanda - STO, 1984-

Golden, Patricia - MAI, 1993

Golding, Betty - 1954-55

Gomes, Michale S. - SYS, 1991

Gonya, Jerrold Francis - MNT, 1974-75

Gonzales, Jacqueline - 1943

Gonzales, Marion - 1949

Goode, Christina S. - GEN, 1978-79

Goodhew, Barbara - GEO-AMV, 1990-91

Goodman, Amanda - STO, 1993

Goodman, Ann MUls - TP, 1968-69

Goodson, Henry L.

GoraU, Eric - MAI, 1993-

GoraU, Nathan - SEC, 1994

Gordon, Andrea F.

Gordon, Beverly Sue

Gordon, Deborah Marie - BKM-HSC-GEO,

1983-
Gordon, Gretchen Sue
Gordon, Karen Kane - EXT, 1968
Gordon, Kathleen Denise - LTL, 1981-84
Gordon, Virginia - 1947-48
Gorton, Helen D. - 1929-32
Gosheff, Eptim - STO, 1993
Goshorn, Susan M. Riehm - REA-BUS, 1985-
GosneU, Thurmyle - REF, 1964-65
Gosney, Catherine Dean - 1925-32
Goss, Belinda - MAI-BUS, 1986-
Gotsch, Diana - STO, 1993-
Gould, David Michael - EXT, 1969
Gould, WUma - 1948
Gouwens, John Robert - 1977
Gouwens, Kenneth Veld - 1977-79
Graber, Franklin J. - 1960
Graber, Karen Sue - 1968

272

Graber, Linda Lou - 1960
Grabner, LaVonna Irene - TP, 1965-67
Grabowski, Robert Lee, Jr. - WAY, 1977-78
Grabowski, Shirley Dunlap - 1951-54
Graham, Bounly G. - STO-GEN, 1993-
Graham, Claudette - MAI, 1977-79
Graham, Genevieve Elaine - ORD, 1965-66
Graham, Lawrence James - 1966
Graham, Lois Daphne Byerly - MAI, 1950

-70
Grann, Oscar T. - 1952-53
Granneman, Henry - J, 1937-46
Grantham, Heather- BOM, -1992
Graves, MarceUa Louise - EXT-MAI, 1967

-74
Gray, lona - 1945-46
Gray, Nancy Lynn - 1980-81
Gray, Shaughn E. - SEC, 1993-94
Graybeal, Walter - 1950-51
Graybill, Anna Lois - 1969
Greek, Flossie M. - 1955
Green, Arthur Nelson - 1959-60
Green, Kerry M.

Green, Leah Poorman - WAY, 1939-45
Green, Leonard C.
Green, Patty D. - STO, 1994
Greene, Donna Maria - 1957
Greene, Erika Lynn - MAI, 1993
Greene, Helen - 1952
Greenwalt, Ann Marie
Gr^ory, James P., Jr. - 1953
Grib, Henry Walter - REF, 1954-55
Grider, Nancy Jean - 1976
Griffin, John, Jr.
GrifTm, Sharah - 1954
Griffith, LoweU B. - BKM, 1979-80
Griffith, Robert - 1951
Grigsby, Queenie Mary Oliver - REF, 1971

-83
Grime, Patricia Lynn - MAI, 1981-84
Grimes, Dorothy - 1949
Grimm, Beth Ellen Shannon - 1960
Grimm, Beth - GEO, -1989
Grimm, Gwen M. - GEO, -1988
Grimshaw, Ivan Gerould - REF, 1954-64
Grisso, Karl M. - GD-REF, 1962-67
Gross, Carol Jane - 1958
Gross, Marsha Ann - 1976-77
Grote, Norma - 1943-44
Grotrian, Lavon G. - 1946-47

Gruber, Rosamond - 1945-46

Grunwald, Pamela Lynn

Gruse, Ila May - GEN, 1967-78

Gruse, John Stanley - CAR-MNT, 1969-74

Gruse, Karla Marie - EXT, 1973-76

Grush, Marilyn C.

Guenin, Stanley Lee - 1978-79

Guenther, Charles - 1943-44

Guerrero, Martin Paul - MNT, 1974-77

Guetschow, Jean Elizabeth Ryder -

GEN, 1964
Guevara, Rick - MAI, 1990-
Guffey, David Lee - MAI, 1983
Guffey, Floyd H. - 1979
Guiff, Elsie - 1925-26

GuUd, Helen Tracy M. - DIR-CAT, 1897-98
Guiiliams, Rodney Allan - 1967
GuiUow, Deborah Anne - YAR, 1978-80
Guingrkh, John - DPT, 1992
Guion, Mary Emily Firestone - 1946-47
Gummper, Gloria - 1943
Gunter, Melissa A.
Guraeshi, Zahir - TP, 1968
Guthrie, MUdred - 1946-49
Gutteboe, Laura - 1954
Guy, Anthony - HKP-BUS, 1982-83
Guy, Myron Gene - CAR, 1977
Guzman, C. Juanita
Haag, Constance- 1942
Haag, Evelyn - 1947-48
Haas, Harriet - 1949
Habegger, Clara - 1933
Hab^ger, Marjadene- 1951-52
HabUtzel, Paula - 1973
Hackworth, Cheryl L. - CMR, 1987-
Hade, Dorothy - 1943
Hadi, Fay - YAS, 1991-
Hadi, Nash - ABT, 1992
Hadjien*, Florence - 1943
Haefele, Linda L. - STO, 1994-
Hafer, Virginia - 1946
Haffner, Brenda J. - STO, 1993
HahUtzel, Paul

Hahn, Christopher J. - BKM, 1988
Haiflkh, Rebecca Shortridge - 1951-53
Hakes, Raymond R. - 1966
Halbart, Judith

Haley, Debra Sue - WAY, 1973-77
Haley, Valette M. Griebel - 1937-39
HaU, Alan Stuart - AR, 1976-78

273

HaU, Alice Faye - TP, 1970-71

HaU, Beach B., Jr. - CR, 1945^9

HaU, Carol Brown - BUS, -1988

HaU, Charlene Helen - MAI, 1974-76

HaU, H. MitcheU - 1956

HaU, James - HKP, 1994

HaU, John Arthur - REA-MAI, 1976-82

HaU, Lillian Leasure - NS-CR-TEC, 1919-32

HaU, Mary Jane - 1973-74

HaU, Patrick - REA, -1988

HaU, Robin

HaUer, Mary Louise - 1956

HaUer, Vernon Clarence - 1957

Haltner, Martin Frank Osmar - 1979

Halvorsen, Kurt A.

Halzworth, Ruth - 1948

Hambrock, Daniel Lee - 1978-79

HamUton, (Mrs.) - 1924

HamUton, H. Brent - 1979

HamUton, Margaret

HamUton, Richard Lee

HamUton, Samuel E. - MNT, 1973-81

Hamlett, lona - 1943-46

Hamlett, SaUy - 1944

Hamlett, Sarah - 1944-46

Hamm, John - MNT, 1922-33

Hamman, Karen Yvonne- HSC, 1981-83

Hammel, Flav Ann - 1984

Hammond, Barbara Aileen - TP, 1963-71

Hampton, Rosa E. - MNT, 1946-67

Hamric, Tonya L. - MAI, 1982

Hamrick, Paul - 1944

Hanefeld, Rosalie A. - NWH, 1990-

Hanefeld, Suzanne R.

Haney, Frances Earlene Shoemaker - TEC,

1957-79
Haney, Janice Elaine Friedler - 1958
Hanford, Jeanne A. - CHI, 1988
Hankey, Carolyn
Hankey, Dennis Robert - 1984
Hanks, Tammy S. - MAI, 1991
Hanley, Janet E. - BOM, 1993-
Hanlotxomphou, Manou
Hanna, Anita Gail Larmore - 1959
Hannaford, Maurice C. - SEC, 1993-
Hannah, Richard Lee - EXT, 1969-70
Hansel, Patricia Ann
Hanselmann, Lois Anne - AR, 1972-73
Hansen, Gary Richard - PRN, 1967-68
Hanson, Joan - 1944-46

Hanson, Virginia - 1951

Hapner, Patricia - 1948-50

Harader, Carol Ann - EXT, 1968

Harber, Carol Diane - 1984

Harber, Mark D.

Harbosky, Kristen M. - STO, 1992

Harden, Shirl Ann - 1960-64

Hardin, Lynetta - TP, 1966

Harding, Grace/Grayce - 1950-51

Harding, Ronald - CR, 1946-49

Hardman, Jean - 1951

Hardy, Joan Emma - 1957

Hare, Ruthemma - 1947

Hargan, Betty Nadine - RR-AMV, 1967-72

Harges, Kristin M.

Harges, T.C. - 1944

Hargreaves, Martha K. - 1951-53

Harkins, Thomas J. - HKP, 1981-84

Harkless, Richard Eari - 1974

Harmon, Cathy Marie - TP, 1970-71

Harmon, Edith - 1948

Harmon, Peggy - 1948

Harney, Ruth Alice

Harney, William Lee - EXT-MP, 1961-67

Harold, Cari Edwin - MNT, 1964-70

Harp, Lawrence Wayne - MNT, 1961-64

Harrington, George - 1925-26

Harris, Carol Jane

Harris, Charlotte Ann - TP, 1962-66

Harris, Cynthia Lee - MAI, 1974-78

Harris, Lettie

Harris, Lillian Mae - 1969

Harris, Lisa Marie - WAY, 1991-

Harrison, Dana J. - 1994

Harrison, Matthew M.

Harrison, Maxine - 1945

Harrod, William Royce - 1955-59

Harrow, Margaret Elizabeth - HKP-TSS,

1971-
Harshman, DeAnna Kay - GEN, 1981-83
Harshman, Lloyd James - SEC, 1981-82
Hart, Betty Jean - 1943
Hart, Carolyn Rose Golding - 1954-59
Hart, Danny Henry - EXT-MAI, 1963-
Hart, Patricia - 1951
Hart, Robert Warner - SPS, 1979-83
Hartman, Donna J. - 1945-46
Hartmann, Teresa J.
HartzeU, Janet Louise - TSS, 1982-
Harvey, Benjamin H.

274

Harvey, Ruth Alice - TEC, 1953-55

Harvey, Sharon - CSC, 1993-

Harvey, Tom - 1968

Hasan, Majid - MNT, 1977-80

Hasley, Virginia Mary - TP-TEC, 1962-68

Hassee, Evelyn - 1948

Hatch, HoUy Elaine - CHI, 1982-83

Hatcher, Darlene Jones - 1950-51

Hatfield, Robert - 1943

Hathaway, Deborah L.

Hathaway, Eugene - CR, -1950

Hathaway, Kimberly K. - DPT, 1994

Hatton, Frances M. - 1988-89

Havens, Timothy J. - SYS, 1991-92

Haver, Yvette - 1948

Havert, Linda - 1949-50

Hawkins, Robert - CR, 1938

Hawley, Roger - 1936-37

Hawthorne, Michael - 1953

Hayden, Leigh Anne - AMV, 1982

Hay den, Michael G.

Hayes, Gayle Wynne - 1973-74

Hayes, Juanita - 1954-55

Hayes, Mable - 1950

Hayes, Richard Patrick - 1959

Hayes, Richard O. - TVS, 1987-

Haywood, Dorothy Ann - TP, 1967-70

Haywood, Eamestine L. Beard - TP, 1966-68

Headings, Lois Eileen - 1955

Headrick, Mary Beth

Heald, Marcia Ruth - MAI-YAR, 1961-64

Heasley, Deborah L. - 1988

Heaston, Gloria J. - 1943

Hedin, Carl Clayton - 1956-59

Heer, Esther - 1953-55

Heer, Norma Jean - 1953

Heersche, Joseph P.

HefTington, Carol O.

Heffley, Jennifer B. - STO, 1993-

Heffly, (Mrs.) - NS?, 1924

Hehr, Gerald Kenneth - MAI, 1962
Heidenreich, Sue Passino - 1948-54
Heidenreich, Christine Annette - MAI, 1965
Heider, Betty Lou - 1946
Hein, Catherine Anne - TP, 1963-65
Hein, Elizabeth Ann - 1968
Heine, Ruth - 1947-48
Heinerich, Joshua A. - FIN, 1994
Heintzelman, Sharon Ann Alford - 1958
Heit, Margaret Ann - 1940-46

Helberg, Dawn M.

Helbert, Judith Ann - 1958

Held, HUary J. - MAI-GEN, 1980s

Hehnick, Edna Ann - 1960

Hehnke, Gary W. - STO, 1992-

Hehnling, Linda Jo - MAI, 1962-83

Helvie, James M. - PRN, 1980-81

Hemsoth, Richard J. - MNT, 1987-

Henderhorst, Marguerite Rahe - 1935-40

Henderson, Alzola Marie - 1961

Henderson, Betty - 1947-48

Henderson, Richard K. - 1948

Henderson, Rosemary Barbara Skripek - 1982

Hendrkk, Geraldine

Hendrickson, Daniel Walter - YAR, 1973-74

Hendrickson, Geraldine Margaret - EXT,

1963-67
Henkle, Robert Melbourne - 1979-81
Henline, Candace Lynn - GEN, 1968-71
Henline, Carol Lee - 1967
Henline, CoUeen Kay - EXT-TP, 1971-72
Henning, Betty Suzanne P. - YAR, 1962-93
Henning, Doris - 1953
Henning, Susan McKay - CO, 1966
Henrichs, Gloria - 1946-47
Henry, Donna - CR, 1943
Henry, Frances - HAR, 1936
Henry, Lillian B. - 1936-38
Henry, Robert - 1973
Henry, Sandra K. - GEO, 1978-81
Henry, William - 1951
Henschen, Carolyn - 1943-45
Henschen, Donna - 1946-47
Hensler, Richard Glenn - 1963-64
Henson, Ernest B. - 1952-54
Heredia, Jason M.
Herendeen, Laura Mable - 1957
Herman, Nancy Lamont - 1954
Herr, Charlene
Herrington, George - 1926-30

HesUp, (Mrs.) - SS, 1922

Heslip, Dorothy - 1942-43
Hess, Clare - EXT-TP, 1948-74
Hess, Cynthia Kay - TP, 1969-72
Hester, Helen Avesta - EXT, 1968-80
nesting, Chad - PRP-SEC-A-Team, 1991-94
Heston, Lois - 1947-48
HetTield, Virginia Viola - EXT, 1959-70
Hetrick, Patricia Ann - 1973-74
Hetzner, Erika - EXT-TP, 1970-71

275

Heusmann, John Henry - 1978

Heyman, Patty J. - 1951-52

Heyn, Cristine Elaine - 1968

Hickman, Helen - RIC, 1935

Hicks, Shawn E.

Hidenbrand, Rosalyn

Hiestand, Shirley A. - 1953-55

Higgins, Jewell Ann - 1961

Higgins, Mary Elizabeth Bradt - RR, 1952-64

Higgins, Patricia Anne - 1960

Highlen, Joan - 1950

Highlen, Merle - 1946-47

HUdebrandt, Elaine GaU - TP, 1967-68

Hildenbrand, Rosalyn Marie - 1955

Hiler, Mary Marguerite Barry - TP, 1964-70

Hill, Barbara Welch - 1961

Hill, Elizabeth Ann - GEO, 1983-84

Hill, Jill E.

Hill, Nancy Cecile - 1965-66

HiU, Stacy - 1987

HiUe, William - J, 1925-36

Hills, William - 1928-29

Hilsaheck, Ethelyn - 1945

Hine, Bonita Ellen - 1959

Hines, Jennifer Robin Doerflein - GEN-PER

-PSI, 1990-
Hines, Doris

Hinton, Leslie Ann - EXT, 1966-67
Hinton, Molly
Hinton, Nancy Lee - 1967
Hippensteel, Jane Ann - 1953
Hippensteele, Patricia Joy - EXT, 1968-70
Hire, Maryellen Dietsch - EXT, 1969
Hirsch, Matthew S. - 1984
Hirschy, Eldon DeLayne - 1960
Hirschy, Shirley Mae - 1954-57
Hirschy, Susan Kay Knuth - YAR-REA, 1974-
Hittie, Rosemarie Kesel - BOM, 1992
Hitzeman, Martha Joanne - 1952-55
Hitzeman, Neomia V. - 1958
Hixon, Edith - 1952-53
Hoag, William Keith - MNT, 1960-63
Hoaglan, Jean Ellen - 1950
Hobbs, Katherine A.
Hobrock, SaUy Ann - TP-MAI, 1971-72
Hodel, Ronald Kari - 1978
Hodges, Susan - 1953
Hodgin, Nancy Coleen - 1958
Hodson, Donna - 1953
Hoehn, Paul M. - X, 1970

Hoehnlein, Ethel - 1948

Hoelscher, David Leo - 1962

Hoeppner, Martha A.

Hoevel, Donald - 1943

Hoevel, Madonna Marie - EXT-TP, 1966-72

Hofer, Virginia - 1946^7

Hoffer, Joseph Victor - 1980

Hoffer, Melinda J.

Hoffman, Deidre - HKP, 1988

Hoffman, Pamela Kay - TB-WAY, 1980-

Hoffman, Susan Catherine Wmes - DIR,

1895-98
Hohenthaner, MUdred Isabel - CR, 1965-76
Hokomb, Paul E. - 1961-62
Holderman, Angela - HKP, 1982
Holiness, Elizabeth - 1963
Holland, Charlotte - 1954
Holland, Linda - GEN, 1967
HoUey, Steven Lyon - STO, 1974-75
HoUopeter, Marjorie - 1947
Holloway, Amy L.

HoitoweU, Terri - ACQ-GEN, 1980-82
Holly, Chariene Patricia - YAR-REF-AMV

-PNL, 1969-
HoUy, Erin

Hoknes, Carol Lynne - 1978
Hohnes, Elaine - CR, 1949-50
Holmes, Lou - 1949
Holmes, Paul E. - AMV, 1971-75
Holmgren, Jean - 1954
Holmon, Frances/Francis - 1947-49
Holmstrom, Helen - HSC, 1991-
Hotont?, Helen - 1945
Holt, Darla - REF, 1980-83
Holtzman, Cameron - HKP, 1992-
Holtzman, Ruth A. - HN, 1989-
Holy, Robyn M. - MAI, 1992-93
Holywood, Ruth - 1948
Holzworth, Ruth - 1947
Honderich, Matthew Q. - STO, 1992
Hong, William

Hoover, Melinda Mader - 1979
Hoover, Tina Ann - 1984
Hopkins, Anna Marie - 1956
Hopkins, Edward III - AMV, 1991
Hopkins, Joie - 1972
Hopkins, Patricia Lou - 1955
Hormann, Amelia/ Anella - 1950
Hormann, Delores - 1943
Hormann, Joan - 1946

276

Horoch, Teresa Catherine - PON, 1969-70

Horstman, Phillip A. - 1980s

Horton, Ruby Lee - 1956

Hosier, Kathleen M.

Hostrup, Esther- 1948-51

Householder, Barbara Allen - 1956

Householder, Clayton L. - 1988

Householder, Lori A.

Householder, Mary Kathryn Seemeyer -

SCH-GEN, 1964-67
Houser, Linda - MAI, 1969-70
Houser, Nanette M. - SHW, 1993
Howard, Gloria D.
Howard, Martha Augusta Morell - HSC-ORD

-REA, 1964-
Howard, Wanda Roxy Ladig - 1957-66
Howell, Ernest Arthur - 1956
HoweU, Jane - 1943-47
HoweU, Phoice, Jr. - MAI, 1969-70
Howett, JuIia/JuUe Ann - RR, 1969-70
Howey, Jane Ann - EXT-TP, 1970-73
Huber, Donald R. - 1952
Hudson, Dianna - MAI, 1971-73
Hudson, Michael Derrkk - 1980
Huff, Dick - MAI, 1965
Huff, Margaret G. - 1950-54
Huff, Richard Nevin - EXT-YAR, 1960-69
Huff, Ronald J., Jr. - MNT, 1968-74
Hughes, Eloise Anna - GEN, 1969-83
Hughes, Miriam E. - SYS, 1991-
Hughes, Robert Thomas - 1956
Hughes, Teresa Ann - GEN, 1978-82
HuU, Betty Z. - 1951-52
HuU, Gerald Gamer - MNT-CAR, 1962-77
Hull, Kenneth Gene - 1967
Humbert, Fern Louise - 1959
Hummel, Barbara L. - HKP, 1986-
Humphreys, Duane Alan - EXT, 1965
Hunsberger, Charles Wesley - MAI-REF,

1960-62
Hunsberger, Hilda Carol - 1961-64
Hunsberger, Patrice Ann - 1979-81
Hunt, Amy Diane - BKM, 1980-84
Hunt, Susan Marie - TP-BUS-LTL-ABT,

1974-
Hunt, Virginia C./L. - 1948-52
Hunter, Edward - 1945-48
Huntington, Stanley David - MAI-BKM

-WAY, 1964-82
Huntington, Steve J. - MAI, 1969-72

Huntoon, Carolyn - 1954-55

Hupp, Melissa Rose - 1984

Hursh, Maurice Cari - MNT, 1979

Huseth, Hazel lola - 1956

Huss, Melissa - STO-ABT, 1991

Hussain, Muhammad Imam - 1955-57

Huster, John Femand - MAI, 1981-83

Hutchins, Isaac - 1978-79

Hutchinson, Milton - 1953

Huttula, Andrew Bertrand - 1959

Hyde, Ailene

Hyldahl, Adrianne M. - GEN, 1994-

Hyldahl, Reba - PSI, 1992-94

Ifon, Okon D.

Ihrie, James Robert - TC, 1981-83

Imler, John F. - 1952

Ineman, Dennis Lauren - BKM, 1983

Innigar, Ruth - 1953

Inouye, Aimee Aiko - 1955-68

Inouye, Gary Masao - 1960-61

Iqbal, Mohammad I. - X-STO, 1973-76

Irving, Joan - 1945-46

Irwin, Robert R. - 1949-50

Isca, Kay Lynn Kanning - REA-AMV, 1982.

Isom, Bill Victor - 1955

Isom, Sheryl Lorraine - YAR, 1972-73

Ivanov, Violetta - SYS, 1993-

Ivey, David M., Jr. - BUS, 1991-

Jaber, Radwan Mohammad - 1959

Jackson, Carolyn Louise - 1954

Jackson, Cathy Elaine - EXT, 1969-70

Jackson, Helen Jackson - CR, 1908-10

Jackson, Karen Jane - HKP, 1991

Jackson, Robyn Anita - MAI, 1981-82

Jackson, Samuel - 1954

Jackson, Vera W. - EXT, 1958-75

Jacobs, Sheila A. - HKP, 1994-

Jacoby, Bemeice/Bemice - 1945-48

Jacquay, Albert Ernest - HKP, 1983-

Jacquay, Janette Irene - LTL, 1983

James, Donna Lynn - 1968

James, Linda Marie Petts - GEN, 1971-74

Jana, Manabendra Nath - 1958

Jarboe, Ramona W.

Jarrett, Matthew S. - HKP, 1994

Jeffery, Don Alan - HKP, 1981-

Jeffrey, Linda J. - NWH, 1991-

Jenkins, Eloise - 1951

Jenkins, Howard - 1953

Jenkins, Jean - 1947

277

Jenkins, Sharon Y. - HKP, 1993

Jennings, Anita Louise - 1964

Jensen, Nils H. - 1958

Jensen, Willis R. - 1949-52

Jemejcic, Lana

Jernigan, Rex Sewell - MAI, 1968-70

Jimenez, Samuel - SYS, 1992-

Joder, Ruth - 1951

Johnson, Ann Marie - TEC, 1981-82

Johnson, Bertha - 1951

Johnson, Betty Jo - CR, 1968-70

Johnson, Bobby Dale - 1955

Johnson, Carlyn Y.

Johnson, Doris - 1945-46

Johnson, Dorothy Ilene - 1963-64

Johnson, Ethel Emma - CR, 1937-81

Johnson, Eugene H. - SPS/PRP, 1985-

Johnson, Genevieve - 1949

Johnson, Gerta/Gertha - 1950-52

Johnson, Harry Henry - MNT, 1959-66

Johnson, Jennifer Lynn - 1972

Johnson, John Friou, Jr. - MNT, 1956

Johnson, Katie D. - STO, 1983

Johnson, Leigh Ann - GEO-LTL, 1992-94

Johnson, Lila S. - 1954-55

Johnson, Mable Lee - TP, 1962-66

Johnson, Maijorie - 1948-49

Johnson, Mary G. - TP, 1964-66

Johnson, Michael Thomas - SEC, 1983-84

Johnson, Monique - RE A, 1990

Johnson, Nancy A. - CAT, 1986-

Johnson, Norma - 1948-49

Johnson, Phillip

Johnson, Robert L. - 1978-79

Johnson, Ruth - 1944-45

Johnson, Troy A.

Johnson, Violet - 1948-49

Johnson, Walter Birgus - 1958

Johnson, William Edward

Johnson, Yolanda Lynn - WAY, 1991

Johnson-Coffey, Georgean C. - VOL, 1994-

Johnston, Phillip Don - 1959

Joley, Catherine L. - GEN-CHI, 1990-

Jonas, Marie E. - 1943

Jonas, Ruth IsabeUe - HSC-TP, 1966-73

Jones, Casey - 1988

Jones, Cassandra Kay - MAI, 1983

Jones, Donald C. - 1963-64

Jones, Eleanoria M. - MAI, 1994-

Jones, Lillian - 1951-52

Jones, Madlyn - 1953

Jones, Marian Elizabeth - 1959-62

Jones, Matthew J. - 1988

Jones, Patrick S. - TEC, 1991-

Jones, Richard Joseph - 1970

Jones, Richard Wayne - MNT, 1966-67

Jones, Ronda Ann - 1957

Jones, Ruth

Jones, Shirley T.

Jones, Steven D. - 1975-80

Jordan, Helen Elizabeth - GEN, 1963-82

Jordan, John M. - HKP, 1981

Jordan, Kurt M. - GD-REF, 1964-70

Julius, Jennie L. - TEC, 1988

Junk, Robert - BKM, 1937-41

Kagey, Eileen - 1943

Kalb, Carrie Marie - YAR-CHI, 1979-82

Kaleemullah, Mohammed - X, 1975

Kalley, Katherine Ann - 1978

Kalthoff, Patricia Ann - 1962-64

KamaUoo, Khosrow - 1978-79

Kaminski, Kevin V. - SYS, 1989

Kamp, Richard - 1943

Kanable, Janet Lee - 1979-80

Kane, Karen Ann - EXT, 1966-68

Kanning, Eleanor Mertens - SHW, 1971-80

Kanning, Judith Ann - EXT, 1959-65

Kanning, Shirley Marie - 1974

Kanning, Thomas Wayne - 1962

Kase, Lorraine Marie - GEN, 1980-81

Kasner, Lea Anne - 1982-83

Kassam, Zena Marie Beagle - REF, 1977-80

Kast, Ann - 1978

Kast, Mark David - 1975

Kaufmann, Jonathan W. - MAI, 1981-82

Kaufmann, Judy MicheUe - MAI, 1981-82

Kaufmann, Kathlyne - 1946

Kay, Lalene DyShere - 1984

Kaye, Sheldon Bart - BOM, 1981-86

Kayler, Olivia Herring - 1957

Kazi, Khairuddin Jalaluddin - MNT, 1973-74

Keane, Joan

Kearney, Robert - 1940-41

Keating, Ruth Ann

Keefer, Lloyd Nolan - 1960

Keeler, Cary James - MNT-YAR, 1967-75

Keene, Paul - 1951

Keener, WUliam - 1946

Kees, Matthew Leon - 1977

Kees, Michele D. - 1977

278

Keffer, Alice Marie - 1960

Keiffer, Joan - REF-AR, 1967-68

Kelham, Patricia - 1947-49

KeU, Elizabeth - HUN, 1925-28

KeUer, Allen Leon - 1979

KeUer, Dorothy - 1948-49

KeUer, Kimberiy Ilene - 1984

KeUer, Pauline - 1947-48

KeUer, Sarah K. - A-team, 1993

KeUer, Virginia Lin - GEO, 1980-82

KeUerman, Carol A. - 1954

KeUey, Deward Keith - HKP, 1994-

KeUey, Janet Sue - TEC, 1964-66

KeUey, Lisa Anne - HSC, 1981-82

KeUey, Shane W. - HKP, 1992-94

KeUy, Kimberiy Lynne - 1988-89

KeUy, Richard - 1944-45

KeUy, Willie C.

Kekaw, Kimberiy Ann - HKP, 1989-

Kelsoe, Dwight Herman - MNT, 1972-78

Kelty, Linda Kay - WAY, 1977-78

Kemp, Jeanice Zada - EXT, 1956-77

Kemp, June Marie - GEN, 1976-78

Kenagy, WiUiam Paul - SB-TP, 1972-

Kendle, James P. - 1955

Kendrick, Chad W.

Kennedy, Kathleen Leslie - CHI, 1982

Kennedy, Mary - 1949

Kennedy, Steven Michael - HKP, 1983

Kent, Susan Hargrave - AR/AMV, 1970-74

Kenyon, Judith Lynette - 1956

Keough, Anthony James - STO, 1974-75

Kepler, Pamela EUen - GEN, 1966-67

Kerchner, Carolyn - 1954

Kern, Jean - 1970s

Kern, Shirley - 1952-55

Kerns, Stephanie - GEN, 1991

Keshwani, Abdulhamid Kanji - TP, 1972-73

Kesler, Shirley - 1943-44

Kettering, Beatrice Lillian Baltemeier -

MAI, 1965-76
Kettering, James Curtis - MAI-SEC, 1966-79
Khan, AmanuUah - BUS, 1964
Khan, Ahsan Ahmed - BUS-MAI-X, 1969-70
Khan, Khawla - X, 1977
Khan, Mahmood Amanullah - 1964
Khan, Saleem Ahmed - X, 1975-76
Khan, Shahmir - 1958
Kharbas, Indira S. - TP, 1976-77
Khericha, SoU Tahbbhai - RB/TB, 1970-73

Khoyat, Nash - 1953

Kiefer, Carolyn Mae - 1959

Kien, Gene - 1944-45

Kiester, Ronnie - 1953

Kigar, Charles Patrick - CR, 1972-73

KUgore, Barbara Y. - GEN, 1983-84

KUlgaUon, Ruth Agnes "Bonnie" - REF-YAR,

1964-65
KUpatrick, Clayton EUsworth - 1948-50
KUpatrick, Sally - 1950-51
Kim, Haesun - SHW, 1972-74
KimbaU, Martha Bracken - RIC, 1926-32
Kimble, Jessie - 1953
Kimmel, Karen Sue - 1984
KimmeU, Hazel - 1955
KimmeU, Mary Ann - 1953-55
Kincaid/Kincaide, Dorothy - 1952-53
King, Annie - REF, 1967
King, Jeffrey M.
King, Linda Kay - FIN, 1988
King, Louis Allen - 1978
King, Mark A. - STO, 1992
King, Ruth Ann - 1954
King, Sharon Louise - 1956
King, Vehna Cotha - 1969-70
Kinne, Susan E. - EXT-TP, 1969-73
Kinnie, Napoleon

Kinsey, Clinton H. - HAR, 1925-35
Kinsey, Eva - HAR, 1922-36
Kintanar, Patria Artuz - MAI-TP-BUS, 1964

-76
Kipp, James Eldon - 1960
Kirchner, Claire Ann - 1954-55
Kirk, Ennid - 1942-44
Kirk, Roy - HKP, 1991
Kirkpatrkk, Carol Ann - 1978
Kirkpatrkk, KeUi J.
Kirkpatrick, SaUy - 1951-52
Kirkwood, Charles Lester - 1973
Kirschner, Claire Ann
Kirsten, Sue - AR, 1969
Kiser, Melissa E. - GEO, 1993-
Kisler, Scott Richard - REF, 1975-79
KisseU, Edward Osborne - 1958
Kissinger, Marceil - 1943
KisUer, Janice Lee - MAI, 1957-59
Kitch, Lois Mae - 1976
Kitson, Charmaine Ann - 1962
Klein, Susan M. - 1979-80
Kleine, Willodine - 1944-45

279

Kleinrichert, Alfred L. - 1958

Klemm, Barbara Jean

Klemme, Carl - 1944-46

Kline, Joan - 1947

Klinger, Katherine Sue - TP, 1972-74

Kiinkenberg, Florence- HS, 1917-23

Knepper, Ronald A. - AMV, 1990-93

Knights, Annis - CR, 1927-31

Knisely, Loma - 1949

Knisely, Terry L.J. Ill - MAI, 1974-75

Knispel, Donna J. - 1946

Knoblauch, Helen - 1972

Knox, Gregory Wayne - WAY, 1980-81

Knudson, George E. - 1947

Kobayashi, Stanley Sueki - 1960

Koch, Carolyn CrandeU - STO, 1991

Koch, Delores - 1953

Koch, Evelyn Z. - RR, 1975-79

Koch, Karen Jo - 1978

Koch, Scott R.

Koch, WUda - 1947-48

Koehl, Beverly Ann - 1973

Koehler, Lorie Ann - 1984

Koehler, RoseUa - 1940-41

Koehiinger, David Dean - 1962-65

Koehlinger, Gregory Lionel - BKM, 1972

Koehiinger, Lewis Frederick, Jr. - 1970-71

Koehlmeyer, John

Koehulein, Ethel - 1949

Koeneman, Christine - 1970

Koeneman, Marilyn - EXT, 1964-66

Koenemann, Sandra K. - WDB, 1990-

Koenig, Evelyn Mary - TP-AR/AMV, 1959

-76
Koenig, Sandra Kay - TP, 1965-67
Koenig, Susan M. - DPT, 1993-94
Kohhneyer, John Paul - HKP, 1981-82
Kohhneyer, Kathryn M. - TP, 1972-73
Kohhneyer, Martha M. - AMV-CR, 1970-82
Kohn, Kathleen - 1949
Kohne, MUdred - 1953-55
Kolar, Erik Scott
Kolbow, Beth Ann - 1972
Kolde, Renee E. - GEN, 1990-93
Kolkman, Richard Lee - 1980
Kolstad, K. Joyce - 1955
Komanov, Lilly Bunda - LTL, 1988
Konger, Wanda Ann - 1957
Koomjohn, Charlotte - 1944
Koon, Mary - 1947-49

Koontz, Jill Dorayne - TP, 1963-65

Koontz, Lake Winfield - 1956

Koorsen, Pat - 1944

Kopra, Leo M. - 1959

Kortheuer, Gerhard A. - 1951-55

Kr^ewski, Nicholas J., Jr. - STO, 1974-

Kranskopf, Frances - 1939-40

Kraus, Betty L. - 1950

Krauskopf, Loma Jean - 1957

Kreh, Mildred Joyce - 1953-55

Kreigh, Catherine - 1947

Kreigh, Forest Harvey - MNT, 1951-55

Krewson, Angela Cornell - 1957

Krfck, Ethel - MON, 1934-54

Krick, Linda

Kri^, Gloria Jean - 1950-52

Kri^, Susan Louise - 1969

Krieger, Kim A.

Krill, John D. - TVS, 1991

Kroehl, Pamela Sue - MAI, 1966-68

Kroeker, Amo - 1953

Kroemer, Perpetua - 1944-45

Krouse, Charles Edward - 1961-62

Krouse, Klinton R.

Krueger, Frederick W. "Fred" - YAR-WAY,

1969-83
Krueger, Kathryn Lynn - TP, 1972
KruU, Jeffrey R. - DIR, 1986-
Krumwiede, Linda K. - STO, 1993
Kruse, Marlene - 1953
Kuckerck, Joyce - 1947
Kughler, Steven Karl - GEN, 1981-84
Kuhn, Philip Joseph - PSI, 1991
Kuispel, Donna J. - 1946
Kumfer, Dawn Laureen - 1984
Kumfer, Kimberly Ann - SHW, 1983
Kumfer, Scott Alan - SHW, 1980-83
Kunze, Daniel Lee - 1961
Kuroski, Susan Sylvia - 1960
Kurten, Melissa E.
Kutchins, Sehna/Sylvia - 1947-48
Kyrou, MicheUe A. - GEO, 1991
Lacey, Eleanor - 1925-26
Lacey, Lisa A. - GEN-TEC-CHI, 1989-91
Lacy, Doris Theresa - 1955
Lambrook, Vera - PON, 1935-36
Lambert, Cathy G. - HSC, 1990-
Lamdon, Bemice - 1945
Lamirand, Melinda S. - BKM, 1980-82
Lammiman, Nancy - 1949-51

280

Landon, Bemiece - 1946-47

Landon, Dollie - 1944-47

Lane, Iva Jane - EXT, 1968-72

Lane, Jeff H. - SEC, 1991

Lane, Susan J. - STO, 1988

Lang, Frank J. - 1952

Lange, Carolyn Louise - MAI, 1958-63

Lanning, James Paul - STO, 1977

Lantz, Daniel L. - STO, 1991

Lantz, Janet E. - BUS, 1985-91

Lantz, PhyUis - 1953

Lapsley, Sherri M.

Larimore, Patrice - GEO, 1993-

Larkner, Laura Marie - 1978

Larmore, Anita

Larrance, John R.

Lass, Douglas R. - HKP, 1992-93

Lass, Linda L. - STO, 1991-

Laub, Dennis Day - GEN-REF, 1974-75

Lauber, Candace Carol Roberts - TP, 1966

-76
Lauber, Cynthia C.

Lauber, Wendy M. - STO-GEN-CHI, 1993-
Lauby, Lois Marie - 1955
Lauer, Beth Ann - TP, 1970-73
Lauer, Christine M.
Lauer, Clara J. - EXT, 1970-71
Lauer, Colleen A.
Lauer, Kenneth Lawrence- REF-WAY-NWH

-HSC-SHW, 1951-93
Lauer, Linda Sue - MAI-GEN, 1974-77
Lauer, Mary Catherine - 1965
Lauer, Peggy - MAI, 1969-73
Lauer, Phyllis - 1947
Lauer, Robert Michael - REF, 1962-64
Lauer, Virginia Ann - TP, 1972-74
Laughlin, Catherine Ann - 1967
Lauletta, Julie A. - GEO, 1985-
Lautzenheiser, Roy Brant - 1973
Lautzenheiser, Roy E. - 1951
Lawbers/Lambers, Phyllis - 1952
Lawrence, Alvin A. - 1947
Lawrence, Ann

Lawrence, Elizabeth Ann - 1962
Lawrence, Kelly A.
Lawson, LyneUe - 1982
Lawton, Marguerite
LaycofT, Eleanora - 1949
Layman, Cari - CR, -1950
Laymon, Patricia Lynne - EXT, 1969-74

LazofT, Rosemarie

Leach, Connie Jo - 1959

Leach, Karen Jeanette - 1959

Leahy, Anna Edith - 1967

Leamon, Karen Renae Watson - 1984

Leazier, Justine - 1951

Lederman, Gina

LeDoux, Maude - 1925-27

Lee, Angela C.

Lee, Gina Marie GigU - TP-GEN-SB, 1972

-77
Lee, Gregory Scott - 1984
Lee, Harold E. - 1954-55
Lee, Helen - 1952

Lee, Kathryn Suzanne - TSS-WAY, 1981-82
Lee, Larry Joseph, Jr. - HKP, 1983-84
Lee, Letitia Leong - 1962-63
Lee, Stanley H. - 1951-53
Leeson, Ruth - 1937-40
LeFavour, Amanda S. - GEN, 1993-
LeFever, David James - GEN, 1975-77
Leffers, Kathryn Noreen - GEN, 1979-82
Leffers, Mary Jeanne - TP-TEC, 1967-82
Lehman, Bruce A.

Lehman, Douglas M. - FIN, 1984-87
Lehman, Eunice- 1950-51
Lehman, Sally A.
Leib, Brian F.
Leininger, Dorothy - 1944
Leininger, Norma - 1943-45
Leitner, Bertha - 1948
Leiter, Linda Marlene - 1957
Leiong, DoUy A.M. Bell
Lemon, Barry Robert - 1961
Lenker, Frieda - 1953
Lentz, Kathryn F. - REA, 1993-
Leon, Anita - 1953
Leonard, Daniel E.

Lepper, Mrs. Harold E. [Ruth?] - NH, 1921
Lepper, Ruth [same as above?] - 1947-49
Lesley, Janet Ingrid H. - TP, 1963-64
Leslie, Elizabeth
Levy, Shirley - 1953-55
Lew, Edna - 1955

Lewandowski, Marilyn Jo - TP, 1965-70
Levns, David Alexander - 1980
Lewis, Joe C.
Lewis, Judith - 1951
Lewis, Maria A. - ACQ-YAS, 1991-
Lewerence/Lewerenz, Rhoda - CR, 1937-38

281

Lewton, Marguerite - AMV, 1974-76

Li, Lorinda Maria - 1978-79

Li, William G.F. - 1980

Liddy, William J. - MAI-EXT, 1967-73

Liggett, Matthew W. - SYS, 1992

Lightbody, Valerie Anne - 1976-78

LiU, Charies A. - ABT, 1991

Lin, Rachel

Lincoln, Irene T. - MAI, 1959-66

Lindemann, Stephanie Mary - 1963

Lindenberg. Fred - J, 1936-44

Lindquist, Erik D. - RE A, 1994-

Lindquist, Phyllis EUen DaU - YAR, 1965-66

Lindsay, Robin Diane - 1984

Lindt, Merry Jane - 1978

Link, Brian

Linker, Frieda - 1953-55

Linkhart, Beverly K.

Linn, Ed - 1927-28

Linnemeier, Jay Thomas - SYS, 1991

Linnemeyer, Beverly Sue Norton - EXT-MP

-MAI, 1960-82
Linnemeyer, David Erwin - EXT-MAI-BKM

-SEC, 1959-
Linsky, Robert - J, 1936-37
Linton, Marjorie - 1953
Lipp, David Ramsey - GEN, 1983-84
Liston, Karen A. - REA, 1988
Litaver, Ivan - MNT-CAR, 1960-64
Litchfield, Dianne Marie - 1976
Litchfield, Dorothy - 1944-46
Litchfield, Lucille - 1944-45
Littlefield, Lois - 1944
Littlejohn, Carene - 1945-46
Lk)yd, John David - 1969
Lk>yd, Thomas D.
Lobbley, Edna M.
Lobrilk), Madeline - 1951-52
Lochner, Dorothy Marie - TP, 1967
Lochner, Elmer - 1922
Lochness, Elaine - 1953
Lockard, McClelland N.
Lockwood, Carroll Fred - 1959
Lockwood, Phyllis J. - 1972
Loe, Rowena - 1954
Logan, Margaret B. - CHI, 1991-
Lohman, Sally A.
Lombardi, Dorothy Louise- EXT-MAI-GEO,

1964-75
Lomblad, Augusta - 1948

Long, Anita L. - SEC/SB, 1987-

Long, Charles W. - 1950

Long, Gregory O.

Long, Jean Hartman - 1950-52

Long, Larry Jacob - 1967

Longwortb, Dixie Lee - EXT, 1966-67

Lopez, Susana - TP, 1969-70

Lopshire, Clarence - BKM, 1936-41

Lose, Kathryn - NWH, 1925-27

Loser, Renie Annette - MAI, 1991-92

Lou, Edna

Loudermilk, Charles Andrew, Jr. - 1957-58

Lounds, JuUe Marie - YAS-REA, 1991-93

Louth, Patricia - 1951

Love, Donald Edward - MAI, 1962-65

Lovinger, Iris M.

Lower, Dorothy Margaret - BUS-GEN, 1952

-83
Lowman, Mary Lou - 1953
Lowman, Michael Alan - PRS, 1988
Lubomirski, Mary E. - MNT, 1993-94
Lucas, Elaine - GEN-PSI, 1990-91
Luce, Patricia A. - BUS, 1994-
Luebke, Rita W. - 1943-44
Lugo, Lida Useche - 1960
Lukmani, Amer - GEN-CHI, 1972-92
Lukmani, Arifa - MAI, 1976-79
Lukmani, Nasser - X-MAI, 1976-80
Lukmani, Shafu- - 1977
Lundren, Mary Carole - 1968
Lundgren, William Barton - 1966-68
Lundquist, Erik - REA, 1994
Lundy, Delia Eileen - 1955
Lupton, Joe - 1945-46
Luqmani, Mushtaq - TP-MAI, 1968-72
Luqmani, Zahida Mushtaq - 1973-76
Lussier, Christine M. - PNL-TEC-HSC-MON

-LTL-ABT, 1988-91
Lutz, Amanda H. - MAI, 1991
Lynch, Edward K. - 1943
Lynch, Sandra Kay - EXT, 1968-71
Lyons, Angelina Marietta - BKM, 1983
Lyons, Pauline - GEO, 1989-
Lyons, Sacha N. - MAI, 1992-93
Lyons, Terry Wayne - MNT, 1980-84
Lytal, Edward A. - 1979
McAbee, Marlene - 1953
McAfee, Jeanette - 1952
McArdle, Maureen Sue - SHW, 1967-73
McArdle, Patricia Anne - SHW, 1967-70

282

McAvoy, George Eldon - 1955-58

McBride, Elizabeth I.

McBride, Gloria J.

McCaffery, Helen - BKM, 1937-38

McCaffery, LaurabeUe Hibbets - YAR

-REA, 1959-
McCaffery, Ralph M. - 1945-46
McCaffery, Steven W. - GEN
McCaffrey, Beth - 1948-49
McCaffrey, Betty - 1946-47
McCaU, Inez Z.E. - AMV, 1993
McCammon, Jerry Dan - 1958-61
McCammon, Larry

McCandlish, Vada Elvira McDougall - 1957
McCarren, Ilene Muzzy Clinger - 1972
McCarthy, Mari N. - 1960
McCarthy, Rosemary
McCarty, CoUeen - 1943
McClain, Dora Emma - EXT-RR/AMV, 1960

-76.
McClain, Jeannette Edith Swan - AMV, 1980

-84.
McClain, Lisa May - 1979
McClain, Merrilyn JeweU - EXT, 1969-70.
McCleUand, Lochard - HKP, 1983
McClendon, Miran Herman - 1984
McClintock, James - 1943
McClintock, Laura Lyn - GEN, 1982
McClish, Debbie - WDB, 1991
McCloud, Erdean - SS-HS-BOM-TEC, 1923

-36.
McColgin, Mabel - HS, 1926-27
McComb, Dorothy - 1938-39
McComb, Jo Ann - 1948
McConnehey, Dolores - 1943
McConnell, Constance E. - DPT, 1994-
McConnell. Dorothy M. - TP, 1968-70
McConneU, Irene LaVon - MAI, 1972-79
McCord, Pamela Jean Gray - MAI, 1965-77;

GEN, 1980-
McCord, Russell Emerson
McCorkle, Robert - 1952
McCormick, Ada - SS-BUS, 1912
McCormick, Dana Marie - 1977
McCormick, Margaret - 1950
McCormick, VirgU Paul - 1980-83
McCoy, Mary - 1943

McCulIoch, Fridley Fleming - MNT, 1979-80
McDavid, Robert J. - HKP, 1991
McDonald, Marion J. - 1942-48

McDonald, Marjorie - HUN, 1941-43

McDonald, Robbin

McDonald, Sarah Catherine - 1961

McDonneU, David - STO-REA, 1994-

McDougall, Vada

McDoweU, Cory - GEO, 1993

McEntire, Peggy Ann - 1955

McFadden, Beverly Sue - MAI, 1979-83

McGarity, Owen - 1953-55

McGee, Betty Jean - 1960-63

McGinty, Carolyn Sue - 1978

McGraw, John Joseph - 1955

McGuire, Marilyn Ann Carpinelli - 1959

McGuire, Marion L. - 1952-53

McGuire, Victor D. - 1943-45

McGurck, Barbara - 1953

McHenry, David R. - BUS-TRI, 1991-

Mclnnis, Audrie Elizabeth - 1960

Mclntire, Miriam - 1954

Mcintosh, Joan K. - PNL, 1980-94

Mcintosh, Otto - 1949-50

Mcintosh, Sarah Joan - 1984

McKay, Deanne Margaret - TP-BKM, 1969

-72
McKay, Judith Anne - TP, 1968
McKeehan, Alice - NSHS, 1927-30
McKeeman, Donald - 1922
McKeen, Roderick - 1955
McKenna, Ann Lee Mays - SHW, 1981-
McKibben, Warren - 1947
McKinley, Charles
McKinley, Charline E. - 1967
McKinley, Virginia L. - 1945
McLachlan, Nancy - Night Assistant, 1897
McLish, Deborah A.
McLoughlin, Frances Rita - MAI-REF, 1962

-73
McMahon, Cathy Jo - WAY, 1970-73
McMahon, Dawn Lorene/Lenore - HKP,

1981-83
McMahon, Susan Kay - WAY, 1972-73
McMasters, Stephen Scott - BUS, 1991
McMeekin, Robert E. - 1946-49
McMuUen, Janis - 1952-53
McNamara, Beryl - 1927
McPherson, Muriel - 1941-42
Macaluso, Michael J.
MacDoweU, Cory K. - GEO, 1991-94
MacDoweU, Kevin S. - PER-ABT, 1991-93
MacGyver, Deva V. - STO, 1994-

283

MachaU, Elizabeth A. - TVS, 1991-93

Machan/Machon, Donette - 1953

Mack, Dorothy L. - DPT, 1990

MacMillan, HUda N. - 1953

Macomber, Helen Louise - 1976

Madden, Ethel J. - 1950-56

Madden, Joyce - 1953-54

Maddox, Melinda - HSC-BUS-FC, 1991-92

Magee, James Roland - HSC, 1977-78

Magill, Richard - 1954

Magley, Truman - 1959

Mahon, Annette Marie - GEN-AR-YAR

-SHW, 1973-76
Mahoney, David Edward - YAR-EXT, 1969

-70
Mahoney, Patrick M. - TEC, 1981

Mahurin, (Mrs.) - 1924

Mahurin, Walker - CR, -1950

Main, Kathleen Louise - 1976-77

Main, Marjorie - 1952-54

Mains, Fay Ann - 1960

Maish, Marge/Mary - 1949-50

Maislen/Maitlen, Arlene Springer - 1949-50

Makey, Herman O.

Makris, Bessie - SHW-REA, 1977-

Maley, Sandra Kay - REF, 1959

MaUet, RocheUe M. - HSC, 1993

Malott, Creda Marie - 1959

Mang, Brace D.

Manges, Timothy Allen - BKM, 1982-84

Manghelli, Catherine Ann - 1957

Mann, Heather L. - STO, 1991

Mann, Mary Jane - MAI, 1969-70

Mannett, Onneles

Manning, Steve D. - TVS, 1988-

Manojlovic, Araceli

Mansfield, Anne L.

Mansfield, Norma Lee - MAI-YAS, 1982-90

Marano, Kathleen Marie

Marchese, Andrea - 1976

Marciniak, Thomas Andrew - 1966

Marino, Marvin Sam - CHI, 1983-84

Marion, Sylvia Florence Miller - 1940-63

Maris, Elaine - 1953-54

Markland, Bonnie A. Steinbacher - TP, 1969

-83
Markman, Margaret - 1949-50
Marks, Donald Jay - BKM, 1966-70
Marks, Gladys - TP, 1963-70
Marks, Melvin - 1975

Marks, Pamela Ann - MAI, 1966-67

Marks, Sharon - 1953

Maroney, Nora L. - STO, 1992

Marquardt, Jack Fenton - REF, 1955

Marquart, Joan - 1954-55

Marquart, Maurice Lercy, Jr. - 1960

Marquart, Sara Jo - YAR, 1973-76

Marr, Mary Beth - SCH, 1966-67

Marrs, G. Beth - HKP, 1994

Marschke, Mildred - 1943

Marschke, Ruth - 1950

Marsden, Paul F. - 1984

Marsh, Carol - 1952

MarshaU, Jeanne M. - MAI, 1993-

Mart, Mary Ruth

Martel, Patricia Louise - 1955

Martin, Barbara - 1944

Martin, Barbara Jo - 1958

Martin, Charles A. - PRN, 1967

Martin, Darlene

Martin, David Hilgemann - BKM, 1962-65

Martin, Debra Ann - TP, 1971

Martin, Ethel - TP, 1967

Martin, Michael Eugene - 1984

Martin, Shirley - 1953

Martin, Victor Lee - BKM, 1965

Martindale, Helen Kathryn - 1964

Martindale, Janet Helen - 1961

Martinez, AngeUca - SHW, 1988

Martinez, Araceh M. - STO- AM V, 1988-91

Martz, Joseph Albert - 1974

Marvel, WUham A. - J, 1935-43

Marx, Daniel Richard - STO, 1973-74

Marx, Philip D. - STO-FC, 1992

Masanz, Kristen - GEN, 1991

Masanz, Maria P.

Masbaum, Robert - CR, 1943

Mascardi, Rose Marie - 1966

Mask, Michael David - HKP, 1984

Mason, Charles Wesley - YAR-BUS-GD,

1960-72
Mason, Robert D. - 1955
Mast, Katrina Lynn - SHW. 1978-79
Masters, George - 1946
Masters, Helen Derham - DPT, 1993
Masterson, Nora L. - DPT, 1991-92
Mathews, Cheryl S. - BUS, 1990-
Mathieu, David Leroy - HKP, 1980-82
Mathieu, Hildegarde Marie - BUS-REF-TP,

1959-82

284

Mathieu, Marcia Lynn - 1984

Mathieu, Richard Wayne

Matter, Michael W. - SHW, 1992

Mattes, Rita - 1944

Matthews, Todd F.

Mauch, John Felix - REF, 1964

Mauck, Donald Wm. - 1963-64

Mauck, John

Mavis, Rita L. - EXT, 1967-70

Maxfield, Doris - 1945-52

Maxwell, Sally Ann - 1954-55

May, Irene

May, Joanne Arlene - TP, 1956

May, June Annette - LTL, 1959

May, Sherill

Maydweil, Carolyn J. - 1956

MaydweU, Lori A. - MAI, 1983-84

Mayer, Joan - 1943-45

Mayers, Cindy Ann - MAI, 1983-84

Mayorca, Tannia V. - 1962

Mays, Beverly - 1948-49

Meadows, Paula Sue - BKM, 1982

Meadows, Theresa Ann - HSC-MAI, 1978-

Mears, Marian - CR-NS-PON, 1920-23

Meehan, Robin LeAnn - GEO, 1984-

Meek, Eunice - EXT, 1960-75

Meeker, James - CR, 1936-37

Meese, Frances Mildred - MON, 1954-55

Meese, Henrietta - REF-AR, 1953-73

Meese, Jack K. - 1970

Meese, Sandas Sue - MAI, 1971-74

M^Iey, Anne Megley - 1952

Mehring, Vivian - 1943-45

Meigs, Avis - CR, 1916-17

Memcke, Lisa M. - 1992

Mefcher, Barbara Emma - MAI, 1959-64

Mekhior, Josephine - 1946

Melton, Jeffrey Alan - ABT, 1990-91

Mendel, Robert Brooks - 1974

Menefee, Charlotte Rose Jester - 1953-57

Menke, Sandra K.

Mennewisch, David F.

Menze, Geary Lee - TB, 1976-78

Menze, Marian - 1940-42

Merchant, Jake- BKM, 1937

Mercer, Bruce R. - 1984

Mercik, David J. - STO, 1992

Mercik, Michael J.

Mercik, Patricia A. - MAI, 1991-

Mereness, Carl - 1951

Meriwether, Roderick Dean - YAR, 1980

Merkel, Barbara - 1954

Mertel, Herbert K. - 1958

Mertens/Mertons, Barbara - 1944-46

Mertz, Frederick Scott - 1961

Mertz, Scott William - SHW, 1981-

Mertz, Virginia Lee - 1963-64

MespeU, Arlene Rose Hyde - EXT, 1970-72

Messerschmidt, Ruth Winifred - 1962

M^railer, Suzanne Louise - 1960

Mettert, Sandra Jeanne - 1958

Metz, Corinne A. - CO, 1921-27

Metzner, Dean H. - 1948

Meyer, Anita - 1947-48

Meyer, Beulah VanMeter - 1960

Meyer, Eleanor - 1946

Meyer, Jeffrey A. - HKP, 1994-

Meyer, Kimberly Ann - GEN, 1973-76

Meyer, Michael John - GEN, 1974-76

Meyer, Roger A. - 1953

Meyerholz, Arabella E. Pitts - 1926-32

Meyers, Betty Lou - EXT, 1967

Meyers, Mary Ann - 1954-60

Michaels, Kathy May - GD, 1969

Mfchaud, Ted - 1945

Michel, Raymond Edward - SEC, 1981-82

Michel], Glenna

Middlehauf/Middlehauff, Elaine - 1928-29

Middleton, Lori Michele - GEN, 1979

Miesen, Leilani Yvonne - 1956

Mi€sle, Christine - WDB, 1992-94

Miezer, George

Milakovic, Christine Joy - 1984

Milan, Charlotte T. - 1984

MUes, Charles - CR, 1922

Miles, Robert Floyd - 1977-78

Milledge, Robert Lee - 1978-79

Miller, Alice - 1949

MiUer, August E. II - BKM, 1964-68

MiUer, Bette - 1943

MiUer, Candace Marie - WAY, 1973-74

MiUer, Carlene Ann - 1952-56

Miller, Charles Gregory - HKP, 1981-83

Miller, Cheryl Lynn - BKM, 1979-81

Miller, Christi - CHI, 1994-

Miller, Christine A. - TEC, 1993-94

Miller, Christopher E. - GEN, 1991

Miller, Deborah Lynn - 1978-79

Miller, Eric M. - MNT, 1992-

MiUer, Evangeline A. - GEO-GEN, 1993-

285

MiUer, Everett - 1949

MiUer, Gus - TP, 1965

Miller, Jacob Thomas - 1980-81

Miller, Janice Lou Rupright - 1959

Miller, Justine Marguerite - EXT-GEO, 1958

-80.
MiUer, Kathy S. - FIN, 1987
Miller, Letitia
Miller, Marcia - 1941-44
Miller, Marilyn Margaret - 1951-54
MiUer, Marjorie - EXT, 1970
MiUer, Mary Agnes Lauer - 1960
MUler, Mary Jane - EXT, 1963-64
MUler, MicheUe L. - MAI, 1992
MUler, Paul - 1953
MUler, Pauline - 1950
MiUer, Ramona Jane - 1955
MiUer, Rebecca
Miller, Richard Reul - 1960
MiUer, Ronald E.
Miller, Rose Lynn - MAI, 1965-70
MUler, Rebecca M. - GEN, 1980-81
MiUer, Stephanie GaU - DPT-CHI, 1990-
MUler, Stephen Gould - PER-IDL, 1990-
MiUer, Steven Lee - 1969
MiUer, Susan

MUler, Terry L. - MAI, 1979-81
MUler, Virginia - 1950-51
Mills, Candace
MUls, Ruth C. - 1950-51
MUls, Sharon Ann - 1959
Milne, GaU A. - MAI-CMR, 1979-87
MUner, Linda Kay - LTL, 1984-93
Miner, Anita Jane - MP-EXT, 1965-74
Mingus, Jean - 1946-48
Minhas, Mohammad Younus - MAI, 1972-73
Minick, Frances - 1943-44
Minier, Ned K. - 1948-52
Minnick, Rosemary - 1948
Minsel/MinseU, Clara - 1937-38
Mironenko, John - 1968
Misner, Joyce V. - REA-BIB, 1987-
Misselhorn, Doris Irene - TP, 1958-69
MitcheU, Beatrice- TP, 1966
MiteheU, Betty - 1943
MitcheU, Glenna Marie - 1958
MitcheU, Loretta Sue - MAI, 1972
MitcheU, Marcus E.
MitcheU, OraUia Beatrice - TP, 1964-66
Mithani, LaUt N. - CO, 1961-64

Mittermaier, Armin - 1951-53

Mittica, Nicholas - 1953

Mitzel, Gwendolyn A. - CAT, 1991

Mix, Lucy - MAI, 1922-26

Miyakawa, Susan Williams - HSC-GEO,

1972-77
Miyata, Lillian - 1949-50
Moats, John WUliam - 1960
MoeUering, Margaret - 1937-46

Moke, - 1923-24

MoU, Anne Langdom Imrie - GEO, 1989-

MoUberg, Erik Shawn - TC/TVS, 1984-

Monnier, Sandra Lynn - AMV-HSC, 1988-93

Montague, Henry Starbuck, Jr. - 1952

Montgomery, Beth - 1947-48

Montgomery, Betty - 1953-54

Montgomery, James - 1946

Monts, PhyUis - 1952-53

Moody, Brad O. - MAI, 1993-

Moore, Albert David

Moore, Benita R. - HKP, 1993

Moore, Betty - 1953

Moore, Kevin Dean - SEC, 1982-83

Moore, Kimberly Vivian

Moore, Mary L. - 1943

Moore, Othmar - 1940-42

Moore, Ramona Lee - 1960

Moore, WUma - STO, 1994

Moorhead, Don - CR

Moorman, Patricia Ann - REF-GEO, 1964-84

Morales, Gary Lupe - SEC, 1982

Morales, Lori Ann

Moran, Elaine Katherine - GEO, 1980-83

Moran, Peter - 1936

Moraveji, Mohammad

MoreU, Louise W. - BUS-REF, 1964-79

MoreU, Martha - TP, 1965-66

Moreno, Johnnie

Moreo, Karen Sue - 1970-71

Moreo, Stanley David - BKM-TP, 1964-71

Morey, James Gardner - 1945-46

Morgan, AUeen - TP, 1955-64

Morgan, Betty Jane - 1959

Morgan, Green, Jr. - 1957

Morgan, Harvey L.

Morgan, Jane

Morgan, Mary Kathryn - 1959-60

Morgan, Melissa A.

Morgan, Rosilund - MAI, -1988

Morgan, Steven Lee - 1968

286

Morken, SaUy Ann - MAI, 1991-92

Morley, Sue EUen - TP, 1967

Morningstar, Isabel - CR, 1936-39

MorreU. John - BUS, 1965

Morris, Donald E. - HKP, 1991

Morris, Emily J. - 1984

Morris, HUton - 1970-72

Morris, John Michael - 1973

Morris, Leigh - 1953

Morris, Loretta - EXT, 1970

Morris, Marcille - 1953

Morris, Paul R. - J, 1967-70

Morris, Yvette Renae

Morrison, Lois - 1951

Morrow, Olive Irene - 1945-48

Morse, Sandra Lynn - MAI, 1978-79

Morton, Susan D. - YAS, 1993-

Moser, Phillip Wayne - MNT, 1979-83

Moser, Stephen VirgU - LTL, 1972-73

Moses, Catherine Elizabeth - 1969

MoskoYites, Carolyn Ann Vince - 1980-83

Motsinger, Gregory W. - AMV, 1982-

Motter, James Gary - 1976

Motz, LesUe Paul - 1960

Mowan, Cleo L. - 1970

Mowery, Debra Diane

Mowery, Dorothy LaVonne - 1980

Moyano, Steven Francis - 1978

Moyer, MUo - MNT, 1940-55

Mrozinske, Hoyd - 1945

Mrozowski, Sherri Bonham - NWH, 1984-91

Mueller, Dorla Jean - 1956

Mueller, Laveme Lucille - 1956

Mullen, Steven - A-Team, 1994

MuUer, Robert F.B. - DPT, 1991

MuUins, Lisa M.

Mulvaine, Marcella Mae/May - TP, 1966-67

Mumma, Loma - LEO, 1940-41

Muncey, David - CHI, 1991-

Mundt, Shirley Elaine - 1957-61

Munger, Sandra - 1952

Mungovan, Sue A. - BUS, 1984-

Murdock, James W. - PRN, 1958-70

Murdock, Linda - BUS, 1969-70

Murphy, Beverly S. - CAT, 1991-

Murphy, David - 1938-43

Murphy, Eleanor - 1967

Murphy, Lloyd - 1953

Murray, Cheryl J. - IDL-BUS, 1984-

Murray, Chris - GEN, 1991

Murray, Helen Margaret Reese - TP, 1949

-78
Murray, Jack - 1949
Murray, Melissa A. - LTL, 1994-
Murray, Michael Raye - HKP, 1994-
Murray, Nancy EUen - LTL, 1991
Murray, Patrick William - BUS-CO-EXT

-BOM-DIR, 1939-81
Murray, Scott E. - SHW-A-Team, 1991-93
Murray, Suzanne Kay - GEO- YAS, 1990-
Murry, William - BKM, 1937
Musser, Bonny - 1947-48
Mustin, Helen Marie Thompson - EXT-TEC,

1955-
Muter, Ruthann - 1960
Muthusamy, Bala
Muthusamy, Raj

MuzeroU, Dolores Jeane - TP, 1967-69
Muzzillo, Andrea L. Hansen - MAI-GEN,

1991-94
Myers, Cynthia E. - 1969
Myers, Dale Edward - 1976
Myers, Donna - 1953
Myers, Glen - 1928-38
Myers, Helen - 1949
Myers, SaUy A. - 1945
Myers, Steven W. - GEN, 1986-
Myers, Terry Ray - 1984
Nagel, Cynthia E. - 1964
Nahrwold, Carol J. - BUS, 1988-
Nahrwold, Deborah Lea
Nahrwold, Jacqueline Louise - 1966
Nahrwold, Nancy Lee
Nam, Sang Koo - MAI, 1972-73
Nancy, Edna - 1950-51
Nank, Michael A.
Napier, Silas - 1960-62
Naselaris, Jennie L.
Nash, Khayot? - 1954
Naunas, Jason S. - ABT, 1994
Navarre, Karen J.
Neal, Helen A. - 1953-54
Neal, Lisa

Neel, Thomas Stephen - 1980
Neff, Jesse Eugene - BUS, 1960-67
Neff, Phyllis Christine Wampler - YAR, 1966

-67
Neff, Victor R. - MNT, 1965-70
Neff, Vetot Ralph - MNT, 1965
Neidigh, Peari Audrey - TP-GD-EXT, 1967

287

-83.
Neiman, Elaine Alice - 1960
Neiman, Marion - 1950-51
Nelson, Carolyn Mae - 1964
Nelson, James Howard - GEN, 1983
Nelson, Nancy Jo - 1979
Nelson, Sheldon A. - CAR, 1977
Neltner, Andrew I.
Nesbitt, Donald Jackson - 1957
Nesbitt, Helen - CR, 1948-50
Nesbitt, William H. - HSC, 1994
Nelsler, Elena Marie
Neuenschwander, Dariene M. - 1956
Neuenschwander, Donna - 1949-53
Newbaur, Viola - 1951-53
Newcomer, Arlene Owenah - EXT-MAI,

1947-84
Newman, Carolyn B. - 1945
Newman, William Austin - 1982
Newton, Priscilla June Allado - TP, 1972-73
Newville, Ruth - 1950
Nichols, Carolyn Sue Steele - RR, 1970-76
Nichols, Ruth A. - STO, 1993
Nichter, Deborah K.

Nicklaus, Bonita M. - SHW-MON, 1985-
Nickolson, Harvey James - 1956
Nkkolson, Waudene Elma - 1960
Niebel, Barbara Jane - 1955
Niemeier, Arthur - 1955-58
Niemeier, Leona Marie - 1955-58
Niemeyer, Frieda - 1925-27
Niezer, George F. - EXT, 1971-81
Nightingale, Donald O.
Ninde, Lee - CR, 1938
Nitzsche, Herbert WiUiam - SEC, 1970-77
Noack, Barry L.

Noble, Dorothy M. - WAY, 1931-39
Nolan, James David - REF, 1961
Nolan, Michael J. - GEO, 1993
NoU, Kevin T.

Nok)t, Cynthia L. - TEC, 1987-
Nolot, Mark W. - FC-STO, 1991-92
Noonan, SheUa Marie - TP-AMV, 1966-67
Nord, Joan - 1950
Norman, Delfreda L.
Norman, LaQuon - REA, 1988
Norment, Helen J. - TEC, 1980-82
Northwick, Byron G. - 1978
Norton, Hazel - 1951-52
Norton, lona - 1951

Norton, Muriel Jeannette - REF-MAU-PNL

-MAI, 1925-68
Nuber, Gina S. - DPT, 1991-
Nuber, Kenneth C. - STO, 1992
Nulf?, Carolyn - 1946
Nussbaum, Vicky Lee Nussbaum - 1969
Oakley, Shirley - EXT-WAY, 1952-76
Gates, Patricia Ann - TSS, 1981
Oatman, Dean C. - ABT, 1991
Oatman, Nancy Jan - CHI, 1991-
O'Brien, Judith K.

O'Brien, Thomas Shawn - HKP, 1992-
Obringer, Charlotte Mary - MAI, 1978-82
Olevnik, Peter Paul, Jr. - REF-YAS, 1961-66
Oliver, Diana L. Gallata - 1952-54
Oliver, John Aaron - 1952-54
Olry, Dawn M.

Olsen, Glenn Louise - HSC-SHW, 1972-75
Olsen, Jeremy J. - MNT, 1994
Olsen, Linda Katherine - 1967-68
Olsen, Margaret Ruth - REF, 1964-65
Olsen, Sarah Margaret Dianne - 1968
O'Neal, Mary Ann - LTL, 1956
O'Neil, Maijorie/Marjory - 1943-44
O'NeiU, Deborah NeU - 1979-81
O'Neill, Dennis B. - 1977-79
O'NeiU, Janet Carol - 1978
O'NeiU, Patricia Cecelia - TP, 1972-82
Oney, Deborah Rochelle - 1979
O'Niel, Marilyn - 1946-47
Ori, Kan - 1953-54
Orr, David P. - STO, 1992
Orr, Nora Lynn SchoU - STO-CHI, 1988-93
OrteU, Susan
Orstadt, Carmen

Orthman, Miriam - SYS, 1991-92
Osbun, Matthew J.
Osbun, Nancy A.
Osburn, Sharilyn A. - MAI-ACQ-PRS-MR,

1988-91
Oshiro, WaUace S. - 1954
Osman, Elmer Sherwood - 1955
Ostergren, Lynne Ann - 1984
Osterholt, Mark G. - WAY, 1993
Ostman, Jayne Lea - MAI-REA, 1982-84
O^en, Caroline Jean - 1943-46
Ott, Kamel/KamU M. - HKP, 1983
OttenweUer, Kathryn Anne - HSC, 1981-83
OttenweUer, Sara - 1988
OttenweUer, Thomas R. - HSC, 1982

288

Otter, IsabeUe EUen - TB, 1977-83

Otter, Karen Ruth - TSS, 1981

Overholt, Judith Ann - 1967

Overman, Carol - 1943

Overmyer, DeVane E. - MNT, 1973-77

Overmyer, Martha - 1953-54

Owen, Elliott - SHW, 1993

Owen, Sara - 1943-44

Owens, Myra Mayette - 1958

Oxley, Amy Lou - REF, 1980-82

Oxley, JuUe Marie - SHW, 1976-81

Oxley, Valerie Jo - YAS, 1978-84

Oyer, Kimberly - WAY, 1992-

Paden, SheUey Louise- REF-GEN, 1981-82

Padow, Jean McLean - 1951-52

Paepke/Raepke, Velma - 1943-44

Page, ColviUe - 1922

Palacios, Angela - HKP, 1981

Palandri, Angela Jung - 1956

Palandri, Guido Angelo - 1956

Pallone, Susan Elizabeth Jordan - REF, 1972

-82.
Palmer, Cora DeU - CAT, 1932-40
Palmer, Louise M. - GEN, 1973-81
Palmer, Pat Laymon - EXT, 1971
Palmer, PhiUip Earl - EXT, 1970-73
Pape, Gregory J.
Park, Walter Irvin - 1955
Parker, Jane

Parker, Lucille Joan - 1956-58
Parks, Bemice Zelda - TP, 1965-66
Parnin, Lucille M. - TP, 1966
Parra, Sherri Marie
Parrish, Amy JoAnne - YAR, 1977
Parrish, Elizabeth Anne - YAR, 1974-76
Parrish, Rosamond Elaine Graham - MAU

-YAR/YAS, 1949-92
Pass, David - TEC, 1988
Passey, Suman - CO-TP, 1967-68
Passey, Vijay Parkash - 1968
Patel, Asha C. - 1984
Patella, Rajagopala Rao - YAR-BUS-REF,

1963-70
Pattee, Lois - 1953
Patten, Devaun Patricia Grenzenbach - BKM

-TP/TSS, 1957-
Patten, Tammy R. - YAR, 1977
Patten, Winnie S. - 1944-46
Patterson, Angelyn P. - SB-SEC, 1991-92
Patterson, Catherine Ann - TP, 1966-67

Patterson, Debra Diana - 1979-80

Patterson, Elaine M.

Pattes, Lois Baker - 1946

Patton, Alton - SEC, 1994-

Patton, Dennis R. - 1979

Paul, Daniel - 1943

Paulus, Wilma

Pavey, Dey S. - LTL, 1925-27

Pavlus, MUan - MAI, 1962

Pawlosky, Susan E.

Paxton, Judith L. - 1952-53

Payne, Andra

Payne, Bert Michael Tyrone - 1980

Payne, Dorothy Eileen McKeever - 1981-82

Payne, Emma S. - MAI, 1922-26

Payne, Prudence - 1950-51

Pearson, Jennifer Denise - 1980

Pearson, Stacey Lane - BUS- AM V, 1988-

Peck, Eva R. - BUS, 1909-37

Peckhart, Margaret - 1952

Peifer, Frances P. - PRS, 1991-

Peightal, Erdine - 1951-52

Pelkington, Marie - 1951-54

Pelz, Carol Elaine Cowles - AMV, 1981-83

Pemberton, Dorothy Irene - EXT-NWH,

1964-82
Pemberton, Gloria Rae - TP, 1972
Pena, Kaylene S. - 1984-88
Pence, Barbara - 1949
Pennell/Pernell, Laura - 1945-46
Pennington, Louise - 1942-43
Penrod, Kenneth L.
Pepler /Peppier, Bonnie - 1945-46
Pepple, Jane Marie - TP, 1966
Pequignot, Joan - 1945-47
Peralta, Elizabeth A. - 1979
Peralta, Ernest Gregory - 1979
Perez, Olivia Nourdes - 1974
Perkins, Cassandra
Perkins, Cheryl Annette - TP, 1972
Perkins, Isabel Landreth - 1962
Perkins, Lillian Berdein Smith - HAR, 1936

-67
Perrigo, Edna Ruth - 1960
Perry, Barbara Ruth - 1959
Perry, Ester/Hester - HS, 1924-30
Perry, Helen - -1930
Perry, William - 1944
Persons, Judith Ann - GEN, 1960
Persons, Linda Lee - 1961

289

Peshek, Elizabeth Smith - 1948-52

Peshek, Lillian F. - 1948

Peters, Bethann - MAI, 1983-91

Peters, Jane- 1950-51

Peters, Michele Annette Nichols - TP-GEO,

1972-76
Peters, Susan Louise - TP-MAI-GEO, 1969

-75
Peterson, Mary C. - 1953-54
Peterson, Roberta Jean - MAI-TSS, 1983-
Petras, Lois Gertrude Haile - TP, 1966-74
Petrie, Lois - TP, 1967
Petrie, Zebna L.
Petroccia, William - 1947
Pettigrew, John Matthew - MNT-HKP, 1974

-82
Petts, Linda

Petty, Lenora Lisette - 1984
PfeifTer, Susan Celeste Mustin - TSS, 1974-
Phend, Daniel Brian - STO-TB, 1973-75
Phi, Linh Ngoc
Phi, Tram

Philips, Janeann - 1969
Phillips, Jane - 1943-44
Phinezy, Odessa - 1953-54
Phinney, Ruth S. - 1928
PickeU, Douglas Allan - BUS, 1963-64
PickeU, Lucille Sandy - 1977
Pickens, Susan Ruth - AR, 1968
Pidgeon, Patricia - 1972
Piel, Dora Charlotte - MAI-BUS, 1968-70
Pierce, Catherine Sue Wilkerson - 1957
Pierce, Kenneth Wesley - MNT, 1972-79
Pierce, Victor B.
Piercey, Rodney Hurt - 1964
Piik, Liisa Reet - AMV, 1994-
PUotte, Geraldine I. - YAR-GEN, 1972-80
Pinney, Donald M. - 1953-55
Pinney, Helen H. - 1953
Pisano, Anthony Nicholas - HSC-WAY, 1972

-74
Piatt, Connie - 1952
Plescher, Catherine - 1949
Plescher, Edna - 1945-46
Pletcher, Sarah Jane - RR, 1974-75
Plozay, Michael A.
Plymale, Mrs. Harry - 1946
Pocock, J. Margaret- CR, 1935-37
Pocock, Peggy S. - SEC, 1991
Poe, Bessie - 1950

Poe, James R. - 1949-51

Poffenberger, Amy E. - SHW, 1993-

Pohl, Camilla - 1926-36

Poinsatte, Ann Marie - TEC, 1964-66

Pokorny, Frances - MAI, 1993

PoUte, Mary - 1951-52

Polyak, Agnes - PON, 1960

Pomeroy, Marion - 1930-31

Ponder, Linda Lou - 1960-62

Poor, Scott Richard - SHW, 1972-74

Popp, Sarah Louise - 1959-^

Porsch, Lois - 1943

Porter, Martha - 1952

Porter, Michael D. - MAI-CHI, 1990-

Porter, Phyllis E. - MR, 1991

Porter, Rosemary - TP, 1967

Porter, Thebna - 1947-49

Portoiese, Margaret Ann - AMV, 1979-84

Post, Marilyn Rose - 1969-70

Poter, Peter - 1946

Poto, Evelyn S. - 1972

Potterf, Gladys B. - 1928-53

Potterf, Helen - 1946-51

Potterf, Rex MUes - DIR, 1935-59

Powe, Dorothy Mae - 1959

PoweU, Bruce Clark - 1969

PoweU, Edith - 1945-46

PoweU, Elaine Sue - SB-MAI, 1979-80

Pranger, Jacqueline Kay - 1977

Pratt, Victoria M.

Prenger, Ann S. McCauliff - 1946-48

Pressler, Karen Lea - PRS, 1991-

Pribbernow, Patricia Jill Arnold - 1957

Pribble, Ruby Ann - 1959

Price, Bemice - 1954

Price, Marcele M. - TP, 1968-74

Price, Mary Agnes - SS-LTL, 1925-55

Price, Rosilund - 1984

Price, Vicki Lynn - TEC, 1983-84

Prfce, Willodeen - CR, 1924-54

Priest, Kenneth Lee - 1968

Prine, Marcine - 1946-47

Prokai, Flori - 1948-49

Prosser, Kay Frances - 1957

Protack, Michael, Jr. - 1956

Pruden, Elizabeth - 1944-47

Prudhomme, Yvonne - 1952

Pruiett, Melanie Joy - CHI, 1981-82

Puff, Ernestine

Pumphrey, Benjamin Winfield, Jr. - 1959

290

Purdy, Melinda M. - DPT, 1994-

Purifoy, Ollis Lonzo, Jr. - 1983

Putnam, Martha - 1940-41

Queen, Ortell - 1958

Quigley, Christine D. - ABT, 1994-

Quinn, Jennifer S.

Quinn, Melvin Lee - MAI-YAR-REF, 1964

-72
Quinn, Ruth - 1946

Quraeshi, Zahir Ahmed - TP-X, 1968-73
Quraishi, Pervez Akhter - MAI, 1970-76
Qureshi, Mohammad Fahim - X, 1971
Qureshi, Muhammad Saleem - X-MAI, 1970

-76
Qureshi, Rehana Saleem - X, 1971-73
Qureshi, Zaq - MAI, 1973
Radatz, MUdred - 1955
Radecki, Verlon Janette Moore - TP, 1957-75
Radhakrishnar, Rajiv - REA, 1991
Raftree, William Matthias III - MAI, 1982-83
Rahe, Janis Eileen - 1965
Rahrer, Don Richard - BUS, 1965
Rahrer, John Stuart - BKM, 1961-66
Rahrer, Virginia Violet - CHI, 1983
Raifsnider, Jane - TRI, 1991
Rainier, Anita - 1949-50
Raison, Dorothy - 1955
Rake, Janis

Ralston, John - 1948-51
Ramer, Judy Kay - HKP, 1982
Ramer, Nellie Mae - MNT-HKP, 1970-82
Ramer, Richard A. - 1970
Ramey, Ahce May - 1941-46
Ramey, Mary - 1943
Rammel, Suzanne - 1949
Ramp, Betty - 1941-42
Ramsden, Rosalie - 1945-49
Ramsey, Diana Cheryl - EXT, 1967
Ramsey, Laura Pennell - 1947
Ramsey, Mildred Yvonne West
Ramseier, Charles - 1943
Ransom, Juha - WDB, 1920-26
Rapp, Douglas Charles
Rassam, Edmond A. - 1953
Rastetter, Kate - 1959
Rathbun, Maxine - 1944-45
Ray, Patricia - 1945-46
Raymond, Steven
Raymond, Virginia - 1953-54
Read, Dorothy - 1950

Reardon, Ann L. - TSS, 1985-

Reardon, Phyllis Louise - 1956-60

Reche, John Henry - 1980

Redd, Stephen B.

Redecki, Verlon - TP, 1964

Rediger, Glenn A. - 1972

Rediger, Lloyd Glenn - BKM, 1967-74

Redman, Denise Hart - MAI-TEC, 1988-

Redmond, Arlisa Jo - MAI, 1983-84

Reed, Delia - 1955

Reed, EUen Mary - BUS, 1963-64

Reed, Franklin Peter - MNT, 1956

Reed, Sandra Kay Newhard - EXT-REF-TP,

1968-77
Reeder, Ephraim - MNT, 1922
Reese, Betty - 1943-44
Reese, James A. - MNT, 1974-75
Reese, Steven Case - 1979
Rehling, Patricia - 1947-48
Rehrer, Lisa Hayes - TP, 1973-74
Reich, Retty L. - 1953
Reider, Alfred H. - REF, 1965
Reimnitz, Eugene Wesley - MNT, 1977
Reinoehl, JoLynn - 1963
Reitenour, Earl A. - FIN, 1988-
Reiter, Karen Ann - MAI, 1960
Reitz, JuUanne M. - TEC, 1993-
Relue, Heather E. - MAI, 1991
Remus, Margaret E. Kindel
Rench, Wihna Jane - 1957-59
Renfro, Karen June Belschner- GEN, 1970

-72
Renner, Mary Magdalene - SHW, 1977-83
Renser, Binalee
Repp, Violet Shupp - 1948-53
Resner, Erica - 1949
Rettig, Janice Lee - 1962
Reuille, Kristine E. - AMV-HKP, 1980s-
Reuille, Nancy Lee - 1976
Reyes, Lisa S. - STO, 1992
Reynolds, Alyce - 1954
Reynolds, Bemestine - TP, 1967
Reynolds, Dale Edward - BKM, 1963-70
Reynolds, Deanna Sue - 1960-61
Reynolds, E. Maud Aubrey - TP, 1968-74
Reynolds, Frederick James - BKM-EXT-DIR,

1930-79
Reynolds, Gene Howard - 1961
Reynolds, Helen - 1939-42
Reynolds, Joyce Faye - TP, 1970

291

Reynolds, Kay Jean - TP, 1972
Reynolds, Kenn Alan - MAI, 1967-69
Reynolds, Linda Dianne - 1973
Reynolds, Maud
Reynolds, Nancy Jean Krueckberg - TP, 1965

-68
Reynolds, NeU Sylvan - BKM-TP, 1970-73
Reynolds, Robert Charles - BKM, 1961-66
Reynolds, Robert Dailey - BKM-SEC, 1968

-91
Rhoads, Doris - 1948
Rhyce, Sharon Zayas - 1980-81
Rice, Joan

Rice, Martha E. - 1952
Rice, Patty - 1947-48
Rich, Perma A. - 1943-49
Richards, Ann - 1953-54
Richards, DeUa Kight - GEO-PON, 1975-80
Richards, Ellen Wasmuth - 1960
Richards, John H. - 1952
Richards, Lori Ann - 1984
Richards, Stephen Frederick - HSC-YAR,

1974-80
Richards, Sylvester W. - 1927-30
Richardson, Harriet Ann - EXT-TP, 1970-72
Richardson, Kevin Paul - YAR, 1973-78
Richardson, Ronald L. - 1953
Richmond, Ethel - 1925-26
Richmond, Penny M.
Richmond, Twyla DeAnne - 1958
Richter, Francine L.
Richwine, John Philip - BKM, 1967-73
Ridenour, Barbara Ann - 1955
Ridgeon, Patricia
Ridley, Condra Belinda Leach Payne - PON,

1981-
Riecke, Jill A.
Riedel, Curtis W. - 1970
Riedel, Harold Theadore - 1977
Riedel, Kenneth M. - MNT, 1969-80
Riedinger, Ethel - 1953
Riegel, Kay Marilyn - 1960
Riemke, Bozena B. - MAI, 1987-
Rigdon, BiUy Ward - MNT, 1967-70
Rigdon, Jeffrey J. - GEN, 1990-93
Rigdon, John Philip - STO, 1991
Rigdon, Sharon Ann Timme - TEC-TP/TSS,

1960-
Riggers, Susan H.
Rinehald, John Allen - HKP, 1983

Rinehart, Cheryl M. - TP, 1969
Rinehart, Harriet Yvonne Dellinger - EXT,

1961-67
Rinehart, John A. - MNT, 1978-80
Rinehart, Melissa Anne - MAI, 1991-92
Rinehold, John Allen
Ringenberg, Cheryl E. - PON, 1966-70
Ringenberg, Emily - 1953
Ringenberg, Kevin M. - 1979-81
Ringenberg, Ralph Edwin - 1952-55
Ringler, Suzie Ruth - SCH, 1965
Ripberger, Margaret - 1943
Ritchie, Marguerite Carlson - YAR-REF,

1968-77
Ritter, Elizabeth Simpson - TP, 1955-68
Ritter, Judy

Rizzo, Barbara Helen - RR, 1964^66
Robbins, Richard E. - 1972
Robbins, Thorn - AMV, 1988-89
Roberson, Francine Lee - GEN-CHI, 1983-84
Roberts, Bessie - 1966
Roberts, Candy - TP, 1966
Roberts, Jacqueline - 1943
Roberts, Mary Lou - 1943
Roberts, Velma Jeane - 1962-64
Roberts, Vera Irene - EXT-ORD, 1958-66
Robertson, Zeller - 1948
Robins, James W. - 1943-44
Robinson, Sean - SYS, 1994-
Robinson, Thomas S.
Robinson, Tracy - GEO, 1994-
Robinson, Virginia W. - 1943-46
Roby, Carolyn Sue - 1959
Rock, Raymond William - HKP, 1982
Rodebaugh, Peggy Lynn Jean - 1974-75
Rodenbeck, Arlene - TP, 1968-69
Rodenbeck, Ellen E.
Rodenbeck, Karen Lee - 1967
Rodenbeck, Lowell Dean - 1954-55
Rodenbeck, Vera - 1954-55
Rodriguez, Hildifonso G. - 1967
Roe, Kevin Shawn - REF-BUS-CAT, 1975-82
Roeback, James Lee - 1958-60
Roembke, Dorothy Charlotte - EXT-MAI,

1972-91
Roembke, Jeannette EUen - CR/CHI, 1973-94
Roembke, Kathryn Louise - MAI, 1969-73
Rogers, Beveriy - 1952
Rogers, Mark - PSI, 1993-
Rogers, Martha Jean - MAI-REA, 1956-92

292

Rohen, Helen Elizabeth - 1959

Rohrer, Margaret Helena - 1959

Rolf, Thomas F. - 1972

Rollins, Jennifer S. - GEO, 1994

Roman, Lindye Lee - CO, 1963-66

Roman, Sue - MAI, 1989

Roman, Michael Phillip - AMV, 1982

Romano, Anthony P. - STO, 1994-

Romary, Michael Philip

Ronan, Lindye

Rondot, Donna J. - DPT, 1993-

Rondot, Kathleen Anne - 1979-80

Root, Jennifer - SHW, 1993

Rose, Carole - 1952

Rose, Linda Kay - REF-BUS, 1983

Rose, Nancy Lou - 1960

Rosener, Lois - 1943

Ross, Conrad - 1945

Ross, Doris Jean - TP, 1965-66

Ross, John Frederic Karl - TP-AR, 1964-75

Ross, Mary EUen - MAI-HSC, 1977-83

Ross, Michael S. - STO, 1983

Ross, Stephen S. - 1984

Ross, Susan Marie - DPT, 1992-93

Ross, Theresa A. - 1979-81

RosseU, Mary E./S. - MAI, 1925-30

Rossington, Margaret - 1949

Rotach, Linda Sue

Rothchild, Joan Ellen - 1962

Roundy, Kimberlyn M.

Rowan, Patricia - 1951-52

Rowe, Helen - 1949

Rowe, Joshua T. - STO, 1993-

Rowe, Judith Louise - 1977

Rowe, Ralph E. - MAI-SEC, 1993-

Rowe, Rosfelt Albert III - circa 1984-87

Rowe, Ruth - 1952

Ruberg, Patricia Joan - MAI, 1966

Ruda, Tracy - STO, 1994-

Ruggiero, Frank James - 1955

Ruhl, Robert C. - 1926-28

Runkel, Karen Sue - TSS, 1966

Runser, Binalee - EXT, 1966

Rupert, Phyllis EUeen - EXT, 1965-70

Rupright, Janice

Rushing, Elizabeth Sue - 1959

Rusk, Randall Foy - SEC, 1969-70

RusseU, Florence L. - 1951-52

Russell, MikkeU Theresa - CR, 1969

RusseU, Shirley - 1953

Russell, Thebna - 1950-51

Rust, Bruce ComeU - MNT, 1960-69

Rust, David Ray - PRN, 1966-73

Rust, Donald Bruce - MNT-TP-PRN, 1961-

Rust, Jimmy Camell - 1959-^

Rust, Larry Eugene - 1973

Rust, Mattie Louise - 1968-71

Rust, Melisa Kim - 1978

Rust, Rosmary Ann Walsh Neuhaus-Gaines -

PER-DIR, 1980-
Rust, Virginia Naomi - PRN, 1968-80
Rutherford, Charles E.
Ryan, Alice Catherine Wilson - MAU, 1952

-57
Ryan, Charles J. - MAI, 1964-66
Ryan, John Leslie - MAI, 1983-84
Rye, Noble Lester - REF, 1963-64
Sadler, Barbara Alice - 1973
Sadler, Judith Ann - SCH, 1965
Sain, Joseph Donald - 1959
Salas, Nicole L. - STO, 1992
Salas, Sherri Marie - 1984
Salen, Paula J. - YAS, 1992
Salero, A.F. - 1948
SaUi, Elena Anizia - 1978
Sallach, Arlene - 1952-53
Sailer, MarceU - 1937-38
Salzer, Kathleen Ann - 1976-77
Samaras, Angelin H. - FC, 1990-92
Sample, Donald Alan - MAI, 1983-84
Samuel, Donald Derek - 1977
Sanborn, Anita Louise - TEC, 1964-68
Sanders, Jo EUen - CMR, 1989-
Sanders, Kathryn E. - SHW, 1994-
Sanders, Mark Alan - MAI-HKP, 1982-83
Sanders, Mary/ Amy Louise - 1944-47
Sanders, Patricia Jo - EXT, 1965-67
Sandilands, T. Malcobn
Sandstrom, Pamela E. - TC-ACQ, 1983-89
Sapp, Emily Elizabeth - TP, 1945-76
Sappenfield, Timothy W. - AMV, 1994-
Saroies, Dorothy - 1951
Sarver, Alice Ervin - 1948-49
Sasko, Robert Anthony - 1957
Sato, Ted - 1947-48
Sauer, Martha - 1941-44
Sauerteig, Ruth Foelber - MAU-RIC, 1943

-46
Sauerwein, Jack - 1943-44
Saul, Charlene - 1947

293

Saunders, Barbara - 1948

Sauter, Marcia Kay Zollars - MAI, 1969-70

Sawuel, Lonnie William - YAR-REF, 1966

Saxon, Arlene - 1952-53

Sayarath, Patricia S.

Saylor, Delores - 1946

Scearce, Martha L. - 1952

Schaaf, David Allen - 1961

Schaaf, Phyllis - 1938

Schaefer, Alice Jennings - 1950-51

Schae^er, Lori Jean - 1976-77

Schafer, Margueritte - 1947-50

Shaffer, A.J. - 1935-37

Scharff, Kim Leroy - STO, 1977-79

Schatter, John - 1941

Schauer, Karen - TP, 1962-64

Scheerer, Norma Jean - 1960

Scheerer, Sheryl Anne - 1984

Scheib, Pauline Jane - TEC, 1966-71

ScheU, William Henry, Jr. - 1964

Scheimann, Jane - 1944-49

ScheU, Kenneth Alfred - MNT, 1971-91

ScheU, Patti Jo - 1978-79

ScheU, Schellie Rose - 1973

Schellenbach, William Michael - SEC, 1972

-79
Schemehorn, Bonnie - 1949
Schemm, Robert A. - 1977
Schepelmann, Velma Mary - TP, 1966-72
Scher, JuUa Elizabeth - 1980-81
Scherschel, Mrs. Paul - 1941-49

Scheumann, - BKM, 1967

Scheumann, Lorinne - 1943
Scheumann, Steven - BUS, 1966
Schible, Tina E. - SHW, 1988-91
Schie, Norman John - 1957
Schieferstein, Scot Alan - 1976-79
SchUling, Barbara - RR, 1972
SchiUing, Rodney T.
Schinbeckler, Mary - CMR, 1991
Schipper, Rebecca S. - CMR-PRS, 1988-
Schlagenhauf, Mark D. - MAI, 1983
Schlatter, Christopher Brooks - TC-PRN -SYS,

1982-
Schlatter, Ilah - 1948-49
Schlatter, Joan - 1943-44
Schlatter, MarceUa - 1945
Schlatter, Martha - 1943
Schlatter, Olen C. - 1953-55
Schleh, Carolyn Ruth - PON, 1959

Schmidt Josephine M. - 1967

Schmidt, Pamela Sue - GEO-LTL, 1977-84

Schmidt, Patricia I. - TC, 1982

Schmitt, Jennifer A. - GEO, 1993-

SchmoU, Ruth Agnes - TP, 1965-68

SchmoU, William Joseph - 1967

Schmuland, Esther M.

Schnedler, Jean - 1945-46

Schneider, Anne Michelle - MAI, 1983

Schneider, Elizabeth A. - 1984

Schnieders, Carolyn J. - 1944-45

Schnipke, Mary Jo

Schnitker, Brian D. - STO, 1994

Schnurr, Lawrence Edward - MAI, 1982

Schnurr, Mary L.

Schobert, EUeen Marie Dolph - RR, 1957

-65; MAI, 1981-
Schobert, Mark A. - AMV, 1994-
Schoeff, Janet Jean - 1956
Schoefff, Mark A., Jr.
Schoenle/Schoenles, Mary Ann/ Anne - 1944

-45
Schof, Evelyn - 1927-29
Schoof, Phyllis - 1939
Schoofs, Bonnie Jean - PON, 1980-81
Schooley, Elizabeth Louise - TP, 1960-82
Schrader, Thomas Allan - GEO, 1978-79
Schreiber, Ethel R. - 1927-28
Schreiber, Tim C. - ABT-LTL, 1991-92
Schrodi, Mary Katherine - 1968
Schroeder, Allan Harold - REF, 1963-64
Schroeder, Burthelle/Burthelly - 1945-47
Schroeder, Marie I. - YAS, 1988
Schuler, RuthAnn - 1955
Schultz, Jean - 1944
Schultz, Ruby Ann - 1957
Schwanz, Mrs. PhU J. - 1967
Schwartlander, Barbara - GEO
Schwartz, Emily C.
Schwehn, Martha Carolyn - 1965
Schweitzer, Richard E. - 1953
Scofield, Mary Angela - TC, 1983-84
Scott, Gloria Sue - 1956-57
Scott, Helen E. - 1922-31
Scott, Ida May - EXT, 1969-74
Scott, Mrs. Allen - 1948-49
Scott, Nancy Ann - EXT-PRS, 1954-88
Scott, Nancy E. - 1974
Scott, Nellie L. - 1953
Scott, Patricia Sue Bierman - SB-TB, 1978-82

294

Scott, Peter M. - GEN, 1974-77

Scott, Richard Lloyd

Scott, Viola - 1928-29

Scribner, Joel D. - 1980s

Seabolt, Jerry L. - AMV, 1987-

Seagly, David - REA/FC, 1994-

Seagly, Richard Scott - BUS-REF-MAI-BIB,

1968-93
Secrist, Donnabelle - 1947-48
Se^er, William Flynn - 1977
Se^miller, Juanita - 1948
Seele, Inngard - 1947
Seemeyer, Steven Roger - 1966
Sefton, EUen J.
Seibert, Karen Sue - 1968
Seifert, Mary SheUa - LTL, 1983-
Seigel, B. - DPT, 1991
Seim, Rebecca L. - HSC-CMR, 1986-
Seitz, Sara Louise - 1942
SeUers, Stacey R. - ABT, 1993-
Selzer, John Charles - GEO, 1981-82
Senseny, Todd Foster - 1976
Servos, David E.

Seslar, Nicholas Allen - HSC, 1972-74
Settlemire, Bettyejo
Settlemire, Claude - 1947-48
Settimi, Assunta - 1945
SeweU, Robert David - HSK, 1979-82
Seymour, Patricia J. - 1949-51
Shaber, Sarah R. - 1975
Shade, Andrew, Jr. - 1984
Shadle, Arlene Foley - 1952-55
Shadle, Nancy EUen - TP, 1966
Shady, Arthur J. - 1949
Shady, Ronald Hoyd, Jr. - MNT, 1975-76
Shafer, Erin J. - PER, 1993
Shaffer, A.J. - 1929-38
Shah, Alpa Durgesh - GEO, 1977-78
Shaheen, Abla Marie - EXT-TP-PRN, 1966

-84
Shaheen, David Kaleel - EXT, 1970
Shaheen, Linda Christine - 1984
Shambaugh, Robert - CR, 1922
Shambaugh, Shirley - 1949
Shambaugh, Willard - CR
Shank, LoweU - 1953
Shanks, Shirley - 1953
Shannon, Patsy - 1943
Sharp/Sharpe, Anna B. - CR, 1910-15
Sharp, Betty Jane - TP/TSS, 1955-83

Sharp, Marjorie Zehr - MAI-HSC, 1972-74

Shattuck, Erma - 1951-54

Shattuck, Eula Compton - 1952-53

Shatzer, Scott C.

Shatzer, Thomas F. - HKP, 1988-

Shaver, Joan Novett Rice - 1953

Shaw, Kristen D. - MAI, 1992-

Shaw, Rebecca Lynne - MAI, 1983

Shedd, Mark A.

Sheerer, Sheryl

Sheets, - CO, 1922

Sheets, Barbara Jane Campbell - TP, 1965-67

Sheffer, LesUe Lynn - WAY, 1981

Shea, Hank - MAI, 1964

Sheire, Evelyn Marie - 1957

Sheoyer, Shirley

Shepard, Bernard R. - 1953

Sheppard, Timothy A. - ABT, 1993-

Sheronick, Eleanor M. Kuck - 1952-53

Sherwin, PhyUis Lee - CHI-DPT, 1982-

Shideler, Daniel Mark - GEN, 1977-78

Shifley, Dorothy Jean - EXT, 1966-67

Shilling, Barbara Louise - 1969

Shinover, Clara - CO, 1925-27

Shipley, Helen E. - 1927-28

Shites, Katherine - 1928

Shively, Douglas W. - STO-CHI, 1991-92

Shively, Judy Kay - GEN, 1975-76

Shockney, IsabeUe P. - 1955

Shoemaker, Howard William - 1960-61

Shoemaker, Joe Allan - SEC, 1982

Shoemaker, Joe Allen, Jr. - 1977-79

Shoemaker, William Eari - MNT-HKP, 1978

-82
Sholl, Philip Benjamin
Short, Jean - AMV, 1993-
Shoup, Carrie Elsie S. - SHW, 1931-51
Shoup, Emma - SSHS, 1925-30
Shrader, Christina Marie - YAS, 1988
Shriner, Martin Loraine - 1958
Shrock, Daryl L. - DPT-GEO, 1989-
Shroyer, Ethel M. - CR, 1922-31
Shroyer, Sarah - 1928-31
Shroyer, Shirley Ann - 1956
Shuler, Betty - 1943
Shuler, Lyman Floyd - MNT, 1953-71
Shuler, Robert - 1943
ShuU, Martha F. - MNR, 1992
Shukz, Beverly Ann - 1958
Shultz, Faye - 1950

295

Shultz, Marjorie Anne Miller - 1954
Shulze, Margaret M. - CR-SSHS, 1910-27
Shumway, Bonita Louise - 1956
Shupe, Elizabeth Adele Frances Joslin - LTL

-CAT, 1973-83
Siegel, Barbara A. - DPT, 1990-
Siegel, Gordon Jay - YAR, 1966-67
Sievers, Cynthia Jean - EXT, 1970-71
Sievers, SaUy Ann - HSC, 1972-73
Siew, Ah Kong - 1955
Siferd, Margery A. - 1953
Sikes, Laura M. - CR-EXT, 1907-16
SUer, Doris - 1952-53
Sills, Geoffrey Allan - 1975
Sills, Jeff-TB, 1976
Sills, Pamela S. - 1979
Sills, Wilma L. - FIN, 1969-
Simmons, Darlene - YAR, 1970-71
Simmons, Pauline EUen - TP, 1960-80
Simon, Angela M.

Simpson, Elenore Baker - TP, 1973-82
Simpson, Lyle E. - REF-MNT, 1967-75
Sims, Clarlean - 1955
Sims, Shirley Ann - TP, 1960-65
Singer, Loretta 'ean - 1970-71
Singleton, Rosemarie- BUS, 1988
Sink, Lois - 1947-48
Sinn, LUa - 1951-53
Sisson, Mary J. - 1984
Skaggs, Michael Lee - 1979-80
Skekloff, Susan Diane - 1979-80
Skevington, Jack - BKM, 1937-42
Skinner, Caitlin E.
Skinner, Carol Anne - MAI, 1964
Slater, Larry Thomas - REF, 1974-75
Slater-Putt, Dawne- PSI-GEN, 1989-
Slattery, Carmen Florel Orstadt - 1955-68
Slattery, WUliam Jeffery - SEC, 1981-82
Slaughter, Christine - 1984
Slentz, MarUyn - 1948-50
Slevin, Ruth - 1966
SUck, Sarah EUen - GEO, 1982
Sliger, Rebecca Diane - PON, 1969-70
Stoniawski, Dorothy Anne - TP, 1954-82
Slupecki, Deborah Ann - MAI, 1982-83
Siusser, Karin Anne Brunet - SHW-CHI,

1986-93; TEC, 1994-
Siyford, Gregory Leroy - YAR-TP, 1968-73
Smallwood, Carolyn - 1943
Smedberg, DanieUe S. - MAI, 1991-93

Smethers, Evelyn Maxine - 1960

Smethers, Linda Ellen

Smick, Martha Marie - 1951-54

Smith, Connie L. - HKP, 1988

Smith, Constance Ann - CR, 1965-66

Smith, D.D./Dee Dee - MAI, 1991-92

Smith, Dionandra Kaye

Smith, Donna Mason - MAI, 1987-

Smith, Darlene - 1980s

Smith, David Gerald - 1970

Smith, Doris Ann - GEN, 1965-66

Smith, Elizabeth - NWH, 1934-48

Smith, Ethel

Smith, Eugene - 1943

Smith, Eugene Joseph - MNT, 1960-65

Smith, Fred Cleveland - MNT, 1932-68

Smith, Freddie James - MNT, 1966-69

Smith, Gerald

Smith, Helen Louise - MNT, 1967-70

Smith, Jeanne Marie - 1959

Smith, Judith Arlene - RR, 1976-80

Smith, Katherine Louise Waring - TEC- VOL,

1983-94
Smith, Keith A. - SEC-HKP, 1991-93
Smith, Kenneth Leighton - 1960
Smith, Margaret Lenore - AR/AMV, 1967-82
Smith, Marilyn E. - PRS, 1991-
Smith, Martha - 1952
Smith, Nancy Louise - 1960
Smith, Naomi D. - 1948-49
Smith, Pecola A. - -1988
Smith, Rosemary Lee - 1959
Smith, Russell

Smith, Sarah Jane - MNT, 1969-79
Smith, Terry - 1949-52
Smith, Thomas L.
Smith, Valerie K.
Smith, Vera - 1926-28
Smith, Vernon Shannon - MNT, 1957-70
Smith, Virginia Sue Garrison- CR-MAI, 1948

-65
Smothermon, Kerri L. - GEO, 1993
Snell, Elaine
Snider, Gary Paul - 1962
Snider, Julia - HUN, 1927-31
Snider, Mrs. W.J. - 1925-27
Snively, Carrie A. - 1932
Snouffer, Helen Virginia - TP, 1972
Snow, DuaneJ. - PSI-MAI-GEN, 1991-
Snyder, Beverly A. - PSI, 1992-

296

Snyder, Bob - NWH, 1965

Snyder, D. - HKP, 1991

Snyder, Dallie M. - BOM-NWH, 1993-

Snyder, Deborha K.

Snyder, Dorothy A. - MAI, 1991

Snyder, Elsie Marie - MNT, 1965-80

Snyder, Kent Alan - BUS, 1980-82

Snyder, Mary - 1943-47

Snyder, Myron George - BUS, 1947-79

Snyder, Rosella - 1954

Soderin, Betty - 1943-44

Solaro, Barbara Constance - 1960

Solero, Narciso Otniel, Jr. - 1984

Solomon, Martha - 1944

Somerviil, Caroline/Carolyn - CR, 1946-48

Sommers, Anne Elizabeth - TP, 1964-68

Sona, Edward J. - ACQ-A-Team, 1991-92

Sonius, Ronald J. - 1953

Soots, Rose Marie

Sorg, Charlotte J. - MAI, 1993-

Sorg, Jeanette - 1948

Sorg, Linda Jane Michael - MAI-RE A, 1983

-93
Sosh, Matthew David
Sowers, James - 1953
Spahiev, Tana Maria - 1984
Spallone, Rickey J. - HKP-MAI-MNT, 1982

-83
Speckien, Abram - 1941-50
SpeUer, Alice Jean - 1957
Spence, Cheri - HKP, 1994-
Spencer, Grace - 1952-53
Spencer, Katherine P. - LTL, 1963-76
Spencer, Shirley - 1950-51
Spiegel, Beverly - 1945
SpUlner, Gary Paul - MAI, 1980
Spindler, Arlon - 1954
Spirou, Mary M. - YAS, 1976
Spohn, Michael - GEO, 1994-
Spooner, Marilyn - 1947-48
Sprandel, Karla Kay - 1979-81
Springer, Deborah
Springer, Donald Marvin - 1969-70
Springer, Illana Marie - 1976-77
Springer, Lisa D. Clinger - GEN, 1990
Springer, Londa
Springer, Mary Lois - 1961-63
Springer, Rosalin - 1953
Springer, Tamara Kay - MAI, 1983
Springer, Velma - 1947

Springer, Walter Winston - 1977

Sprogue, Thomas - 1943

Sprunger, Barbara Jean - 1960

Sprunger, Deborah Nan - 1979-80

Sprunger, Ellen Marie - CMR, 1983-88

Sprunger, Hugh D. - 1947

Sprunger, Jody H. - HSC, 1991-92

Sprunger, Kent George - 1968

Sprunger, Miriam lone - 1956

Sroufe, Diane L.

Stabler, DeLoss - 1946-47

Stacy, Lee - HKP, 1993

Stahl, Mark D. - STO, 1991

Stahlhut, Donald Henry - 1958

Stair, Sandra Kay - TP, 1966-69

Stalter, Margaret Elizabeth Lauer - 1968-77

Stalter, Peggy - MAI, 1974-76

Stambaugh, SaUy Rachel - 1978

Stang, Howard David - MNT, 1975-78

Stanger, Allison Katherine - 1979

Stanley, Kellie H. - DPT, 1994-

Stanley, Luana Kay - TP-SYS, 1980-

Stanson, PhyUis - 1954

Stanton, Louise L.

Stapleton, Darlene Theresa Martin - ORD,

1957-64
Starck, William

Stark, Ann E. - TSS-GEN, 1981-82
Stork, Jeremy J. - HKP, 1991-92
Storkey, Jeff W. - FC, 1990-91
Storkey, SaUy A. - DIR, 1991-92
Storks, Carmen D. - STO, 1993
Stouffer, GaU - 1947-48
Stouffer, Jessie B. - WDB, 1969-90
Stouffer, Joseph Patrick - BKM, 1962-65
Stouffer, Justin D. - WDB, 1992
Stearns, Gloria Jean - 1959
Stearns, Linda Susan - GEN, 1969
Stearns, Megan Gabrielle - ACQ- AM V, 1980s
Stecg, Kenneth
Steele, Barbara Lynn - 1973
Stefani, Linda Lee - SEC, 1991
Steffens, Marcus George - MAI-BUS, 1966

-68
Steigerwold, Marcia/Maria Ann - EXT, 1970

-71
Steinbacher, Marjorie - 1943
Steinbauer, Violet - 1943-44
Steinfeld, Dean Fredrick - STO, 1977-80
Stejskal/Stepkal, Adolph - 1951-52

297

Stellhorn, Marilyn - TP, 1953-55
Stellhorn, Rebecca Ann - LTL, 1968-70
Stenberg, Judy Andrews - 1978
Stephens, Garnet Ann Hoffman - TP, 1961

-66
Stephens, Jerry
Stephens, Rick Michael - 1974
Stephens, Terry Wade
Stephenson, Donald - 1943-44
Stephy, Marie R. - TP, 1964-65
Sterner, Jacky - 1946
Stevens, Ramon L. - PER, 1992
Stevens, Ruth F. - PON, 1925-28
Stevenson, Dorothy McDougall - 1924-26
Stewart, Charlean - TP, 1955-77
Stewart, Sharon

Stewart, Tricia Hanna - EXT, 1968
Stibick, Marguerite - BUS, 1969-70
Stier, Rosalina Adelle Desmonds - MAI-GEN

-HSC-LTL, 1967-79 & 1990-
Stiles, Ronald Bernard - 1974
Stillpass, Carole - 1946
StaiweU, Wanda - 1943
Stine, Jennie

Stinehart, Mary - 1944-45
Stinson, Donald E. - 1951
Stinson, Wade M. - GEN, 1991
vStirlen, Christopher H. - ABT, 1992
Stites, Katherine/Kathryn - 1927-28
Stock, Roger - 1944
Stocks, Jacuelyn Kay - 1968
Stocks, Karen Sue - 1965
Storer, Cynthia M. - WAY, 1983-84
Stostad, Janice Carol - MAI, 1956-57
Stoutenberry, Gretchen - 1965
StovaU, Louise - 1954-55
Strack, Jane E.

Straessle, John Joseph - MAI, 1984
Straessle, Thomas Andrew - 1984
Strain, Kristina Kay - 1984
Strasser, JaneUe Kay - GEN, 1972-73
Stratton, Anne D. - WAY, 1986-
Straub, Herbert - 1948
Stricat/Stricot, Eugene/Eugenie- 1945-46
Stringer, EsteUa C. - SS-CAT-EXT-CR,

1910-42
Stroble, Linde Lee - 1976
Strode, Constance Elaine - 1965
Strode, Joanna M. - REF-REA/TB, 1983
Stroik, Pamela P. - ABT, 1990-91

Struemph, Patricia M. - STO, 1992-

Stuart, Edwin Holt - MAI, 1983

Stuart, Freda Ireatha - 1955

Stuart, Melvin - 1943

Stube, John C. - 1977

Stuckey, Laura J. - SHW, 1988-94

Stuckey, Wade - BKM, 1991

Stumebeam, Robert L.

Sturgis, Sarah L. - EXT-BUS-REF, 1900-41

Stutzman, Laura - BKM, 1983-84

Suarez, Fernando C. - SEC, 1993

Sublett, Kenneth Lee - 1955

Sullach, Arlene - 1952

Sullivan, W. Harold - SEC-YAR, 1969-71

Sullivan, WUbert

Sullivan, Wilma Jean - CR, 1941^2

Summers, Candyce - AR, 1972-73

Summers, Kathryn Sue - TP, 1972

Summers, Ruth Eileen - EXT-MAI, 1953-66

Sunday, Russell - CR, 1941

Sundberg, Paul Russell - GEN, 1976-77

Suput, David - HKP, 1988

Suszko, August - 1955

Suttle, James E.

Suttles, Barbara Marie Singer - MAI, 1966

-71
Sutto, Irma Evelyn - 1955
Sutton, Barbara Jean - 1958
Sutton, Janice Papenbrock - 1949-50
Sutton, Melissa Lee - STO-DPT, 1988-91
Svoboda, Wayne - 1943
Swank, Gameta Rose - TP/TSS, 1970-
Swank, Sandra Lee - GEN, 1973-75
Swartz, George S. - 1947-61
Swartzlander, Barbara June - BOM, 1980-82
Sweat, William Lawrence - SEC, 1977-79
Sweet, Judy Kay Osmun - 1960
Sweet, Julie L.
Sweet, Susanne - 1946
Swift, Kermit - CR, 1936
Swihart, Doug - TVS, 1992
Swing, Evelyn E. - MNT, 1978-81
Swing, Laurel Rose - MON, 1993-94
Switzer, Thelma E. - 1953
Switzer, Wilma Conrad - BUS, 1990-91
Swope, Vance C. - 1953
Swygart, Marcyle Mary - HKP, 1983
Sylvia, James E.
Szerejko, Robert Adolph - 1957
Szerenyi, Irene - ORD, 1964-65

298

Szerkera, Sharon Jeanette - 1957

Tabron, Ronald J. - 1984

Tackett, George Baylous - CMR, -1988

Takle, Elsa - GEO, 1991

TalarKO, George B. - 1950

Talbot, Don - BKM, 1970

Talbott, Daniel Frederick - BKM, 1969-72

Talbott, Lewis M. - 1955

Tatro, David Lynn - 1968

Taulman, Maurice Everett - 1978

Taytor, Dale Wayne - 1978

Taytor, Diana Lynn Moilanen - TEC, 1968

-78
Taytor, Frances Marie - 1952-55
Taytor, Gena S. - STO, 1994
Taytor, Isabel - 1941-42
Taytor, Mark Allen - 1973
Taytor, Rick William - 1978
Taytor, Robert

Taytor, Ryan - SL:GEN/CAT, 1994-
Taytor, Timothy G. - HKP, 1991
Taytor, Wendy

Tayyab, Muhammad Agha - BUS, 1970-76
Tazian, Sona Marie - BKM, 1982
Tchinski, Carol Emilie - GEN, 1982-83
Tengan, Masako M. - 1953
Terheide, Barbara J. - 1966
Teroff, Rose - 1948
Terrazas, LoUy - GEN, 1988
Terrel, Sondra Lee - 1979
TeweU, Kenneth - 1953-54
Thackery, John Thomas, Jr. - 1947-50
Thatcher, James - 1944
Thatcher, William Howard, Jr. - 1962
Thiele, Norma - 1953
Thieme, Theodore William - MAI-GD-BUS

-YAR, 1970-78
Thieroff, Connie - MAI, 1991
Thoma, Virginia S. - GEO, 1972-75
Thomas, Carolyn Sue - PRN, 1977-81
Thomas, Doris Elizabeth - TP, 1966-68
Thomas, Eileen - 1949
Thomas, Elaine K. - -1988.
Thomas, Geoffrey M. - SHW-GEN, 1993-94
Thomas, Harvey Levi - M NT-CAR, 1948-72
Thomas, Hope - CR, 1917-19
Thomas, Mary Lou Warner - CR, 1944-49
Thomas, Rochelle Ann - 1984
Thompson, Bob - -1965
Thompson, Cari, Jr. - 1953-55

Thompson, Carla
Thompson, Carol Ann - 1959-61
Thompson, Caroline Schall - 1953-55
Thompson, Hilda - SSHS, 1923-27
Thompson, Josephine Marie - CR-SHW-LTL

-HSC, 1948-81
Thompson, Kari Charles - BKM, 1960-64
Thompson, Kenneth - BKM, 1937-43
Thompson, Leann - WAY, 1973-75
Thompson, Mae Bright Sims - 1951-57
Thompson, Marlene Rose - 1953-57
Thompson, Micheal - GEN, 1994
Thompson, Milton - 1936-37
Thompson, Robert Lincoln - 1958
Thompson, Roxanne
Thompson, Virginia H. - 1949-50
Thompson, William Cowen - 1959
Thompson, Willis - J, 1930s
Thomson, Kathy E. - 1955
Thorne, Gregory Kenneth - YAR, 1967
Thornton, Sheila - YAR, 1969
Thorp, Joy Marie - YAS, 1993
Throyer, Sarah - -1931
Thurber, George W. - 1978
Tken, Zelma E./S. - CR, 1928-42
Tieben, David P.
Tilden, Mary Louise - 1966^7
TUden, Sidney - 194647
Tilden, Wanda T. - 1946-47
Tilkins, Sherri Lynn - HKP, 1983
TUl, Mary F. - CHI, 1994
Tillson, Jack - -1944-46
Timinsky, Herbert Michael - X, 1975-79
Timinsky, Veronika - YAS-EXT-MAI, 1966

-83
Timinsky, Victoria - TP/TSS, 1966-
Timm, Esther - 1953
Timmersman, Charlene Ann - 1973
Timmersman, Judy Beth - 1969
TindaU, Stanley ArUss - MNT, 1961-65
Tingley, Madge E. - 1945-46
Tinker, Glossie Mae - 1952
Tirmenstein, Adrienne Martha - CR, 1947-48
Tobin, Claire Collins - LTL, 1979-94
Tobin, Paul E.

Tobin, Phillip Anthony - 1984
Tobin, Suzann M. - LTL-SHW, 1981-
Toenges, Stacy - MAI, 1991-
Toirac, Dorothy - 1949-50
Tomlinson, Mary Louise - 1959-60

299

Toms, Terry CUfford - MAI, 1964-65
Topp, Gayle Eugene - BUS-MAI, 1981-92
Townsend, Evelyn Christine Hughes - 1947

-49
Tracey, Melden E.
Tracy, Carolyn Ann
Tracy, Theresa A. - DPT, 1993-
Trertwin, James
Treft, Harold - -1935
Treimuth, Maijorie - 1951
Tremp, Naomi May - WDB, 1923-69
Trinh, Tim

Tritch, Mark Eshu - 1977
Tritch, Richard Frederick - BKM, 1956-82
Trithipi/Trittripoe, Anne - SHW, 1928-30
Troyer, Lois Y. - 1950
Truax, Cynthia Jane Craw - 1968
Truesdale, Dorothy Jane - 1958
Truesdale, Fern - 1984
Truesdale, Vernon Paul - 1960
TruesdeU, Barbara - ACQ, 1983-84
Truesdell, Cheryl A. Boss - 1979-80
Truesdell, Fern
Trusdie, EUen Mae - 1960
Trutwin, James Elwin - 1961
Tschannen, Ronald J.
Tschannen, Stephanie M.
Tubbs, Shirley Jeanette - 1969
Tuck, Sarah VoneU - 1956
Tucker, Arlene - 1949
Tucker, Charlotte - 1953
Tucker, Marie - HUN, 1927-41
Tucker, Marilyn Viola - EXT-TSS, 1967-92
Tucker, Patricia May Gobble - PRN, 1967-74
Tuesca, Brian D.

Turnbow, Charlotte Ruth - MAI, 1980-82
Turnbow, Tina Machelle Rust - LTL, 1976-80
Turner, Gertrude - 1950
Turner, Juliet - 1943-44
Turney, Lois - 1953
Tuschling, Sandra Joan - 1972
Tustison, Beulah Leora - HAR, 1965-93
Uhlig, Ruth - 1944
Uhrich, Barbara Jean Lemons - 1960
Underbill, Lillian - 1922
Underwood, Edward Franklin - MNT, 1960

-82
Underwood, Leon - CR
Underwood, Michael Louis - MNT, 1975-78
Underwood, Phyllis Aliean - 1961-62

Underwood, William E.

Ungerer, Violet - 1953

Urhausen, Sandra Jean - EXT, 1964-67

Urhausen, Sylvia

Urquhart, - 1923

Ursin, Kristine Rae - EXT, 1970-71

Vakerics, Linda L. - DPT, 1985-

Van Arnam, Howard - CR

Van Buskirk, Sally - 1953

Vance, Donald R.

Vance, Susan Kay - HKP, 1983-91

Vandenberg, Jack - 1943-44

Vandenberg, Virginia - 1943-45

Vanderhorst, SheUa K. - ABT, 1990-91

Vander Pal, Robert James - 1960

Van Fossen, David A. - GEN, 1993-94

Van Fossen, Richard A.

Van Horn, Phyllis - 1946

Van Kirk, Leona Lucille - TP, 1963-81

Van Note, James Vernon - TP, 1969-73

Van Patten, Rose Grace Fox - 1959

Van Zanten, Alice - MAI, 1927-35

Van Zile, Daniel Joseph - 1963

Vardaman, Dwayne - HKP-MNT, 1981-91

Vardman, Kathy D.

Varga, Ernest Louis, Jr. - 1977

Vaughn, Barry W.

Vaughn, Fredricka Y. - CHI, 1992

Vegeler, Bob - TP, 1966

Vegeler, Eldon Baker - BKM, 1937-50

Vegeler, Robert Harry - MAI-BKM-BUS

-BOM-RR-YAR-DIR, 1937-80
Vegeler, Robert Owen - 1965
Vernon, Theodore Lee - 1967
Verweire, Dorothy - 1925-27
Vetter, Margaret - 1949
Vfce, Bernard Neil - PRN, 1981-
Vice, Monica Immel - SEC, 1992
Vfck, David Paul - 1984
Vining, Joyce - 1952-53
Vito, Kimberly Ann - AMV, 1990-91
Vogely, Mabel M. - BUS-REF-MON-ORD,

1912^5
VoegtlinA^ogetlin, Cari - 1929
Voigt, Almyra - 1943
Voirol, Elizabeth Ann - MON, 1980-82
Voirol, Mary - GEO, 1988-
Voirol, Nelson - MNT, 1991-92
Volante, Mary Frances - SHW, 1991
Void, Jennifer - MAI, 1993-94

300

Vollink, Andrew R.

Vollmar, Carol - 1949

Vollmar, Dorothy - 1948-49

Vollmer, Jane Z. - BOM, 1994-

Volz, Kirby A. - 1974

Vonderau, Lon Edwin - 1971-72

Von Deylen, Teresa Lynne - MAI, 1984

Voorhees, Mayme - 1922-27

Voorhees, Elizabeth - GEO, 1991

Voors, Mary R. - SB-CHI, 1980-

Vosmeier, Matthew N.

Vu, Quan Trieu - GEN, 1983

Vulgamott, Dorothy Evelyn - TP-EXT-AR

-GEN, 1959-79
Wadewitz, Eunice - 1979
Wafford, Leasa Jerrell - 1984
Waggoner, Roger L. - 1977
Waggoner, Susan M. - DPT, 1989-94
Wagoner, Katrina - AMV, 1994
Wagner, Buddy L. - SEC, 1992-
Wagner, Judith Rose - MON, 1982-
Wagner, Kathleen Helen - 1979-80
Wagner, Marsha Jean - AR/AMV, 1969-70
Wagner, Maxine Mae - TP-GD, 1965-79
Wagner, Sharon Ruth - 1967
Wagner, Steven Robert - HKP, 1982-83
Wagoner, Katrina

Wagoner, Terra Paulette - HKP, 1991
Waheed, Abdul

Wahl, Eugenia K. - MON-WDB, 1986-
Waite, Pauline G. - CR, 1924-28
Wake, Martha Lee - 1943
Wakefield, Anna Mae - LTL, 1961-81
Walborn, Diana Une - EXT, 1970
Walchle, Barbara Ann - RB, 1970-73
Walchle, Betty - 1944-45
Walchle, Loretta - 1941-42
Walda, Beverly Ann - 1957
Walker,

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Full text of "Beyond books : Allen County's public library history, 1895-1995"

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